Thursday, April 21, 2011

As God as my witness, I will try to make mathematics approachable


Math is too cool, too interesting and too relevant to be thought of as the subject, "I can't do." The reality of that situation is that the person who stood before you, "Can't Teach Math." There are so many things to take notice and note of, but recently, I believe there is a large problem with the way in which we teach mathematics. When something is taught poorly, it is not always an easy fix when faced with the proportion of who was taught right, or who is capable to teach it properly.

The point is, it's important to teach it properly. There really are explanations in mathematical language, and for better or worse, much of our life is surrounded by it. So there is the reason in its applicability. But the great thing about us as human beings is our consistent imagination, and our wonder. In some ways, math seems limitless, and yet so focused. This balance, this creation not just made by our minds but created in Natural Laws can be tangible, fun and immensely inspiring.

I imagine a day, inspiring children to figure math out on their own. To explore the ways it works, and to understand its ambiguity and wonder, but also its quirky rules, and why. This helps each other learn, and create our own flare with mutual understanding. How differently our brains can come to mutual reason through different mathematical processing is a skill not to be forgotten. This kind of awareness is essential.