I'll admit that I only listened to it with half an ear, but...
1. I kind of like the cluster method. I find myself using it to do mental math when a calculator isn't around. I don't think it should be the main way to figure out stuff, because it is time consuming, but it also isn't as evil as she portrayed it.
2. The normal algorithm (for multiplication at least) does work and doesn't require knowing anything more than X x X. I think it should remain the standard way of doing things.
3. Calculators...those are a problem. They're all over the world today; I have one in my mouse pad. They're in phones. In short, there are few places one will be and not have access to a calculator. But it also makes us lazy I think. Therefore, in elementary they should be used sparingly because the point is to learn how to do the basic math. They aren't so complicated that the kids won't be able to figure them out in the future. I think a harder question is how much should calculators be used in upper level math courses?
I didn't realize the "cluster method" was a formalized algorithm. I remember trying to teach it to a blind student I had to improve his mental math. this woman didn't mention how the cluster method can progress to being paperless, at least when there aren't too many digits.
I don't think it's valid to resist a particular algorithm because the older generation wasn't exposed to it. So they'll just have to learn new methods if they want to help their kids with homework. that's progress.
that being said, I agree with the spirit of this video (calculator dependence = bad, new methods = unnecessary). I once tutored college freshman who reached for a calculator when I ask him for the difference of 1 - 1.5 also, I don't think there is anything that needs to be fixed with the traditional multiplication and division algorithms.
i think the textbook publishing companies are just trying to sell more gimmicks, and there's no shortage of math education academics looking to get published.
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1. I kind of like the cluster method. I find myself using it to do mental math when a calculator isn't around. I don't think it should be the main way to figure out stuff, because it is time consuming, but it also isn't as evil as she portrayed it.
2. The normal algorithm (for multiplication at least) does work and doesn't require knowing anything more than X x X. I think it should remain the standard way of doing things.
3. Calculators...those are a problem. They're all over the world today; I have one in my mouse pad. They're in phones. In short, there are few places one will be and not have access to a calculator. But it also makes us lazy I think. Therefore, in elementary they should be used sparingly because the point is to learn how to do the basic math. They aren't so complicated that the kids won't be able to figure them out in the future. I think a harder question is how much should calculators be used in upper level math courses?
~Amanda
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I didn't realize the "cluster method" was a formalized algorithm. I remember trying to teach it to a blind student I had to improve his mental math. this woman didn't mention how the cluster method can progress to being paperless, at least when there aren't too many digits.
I don't think it's valid to resist a particular algorithm because the older generation wasn't exposed to it. So they'll just have to learn new methods if they want to help their kids with homework. that's progress.
that being said, I agree with the spirit of this video (calculator dependence = bad, new methods = unnecessary). I once tutored college freshman who reached for a calculator when I ask him for the difference of 1 - 1.5 also, I don't think there is anything that needs to be fixed with the traditional multiplication and division algorithms.
i think the textbook publishing companies are just trying to sell more gimmicks, and there's no shortage of math education academics looking to get published.
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