Re: Why isn't everyone enjoying mathematics?

Well, I love maths, so I can't quite fathom why others "hate" it before
they've even encountered it properly, but I do think it's partly because it
gets a negative press. I have early memories of reading comics like the
Beano and the Dandy, and they instilled in me a fear of dentists (since
overcome) and a puzzlement as to why maths was portrayed as one of the most
hated of school subjects.


"Gunnar G" <debian@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2g2lf.151863$dP1.509706@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> The question:
>
> How do you make mathematics more "living" and "exciting" for the students?
>
> The answer I came up with:
>
> I think that you just have to have that attitude towards mathematics from
> the start. The beauty and wealth of mathematics is revealed when you learn
> new things, make new connections and expand your knowledge.
> The beauty is hidden from those who doesn't have the desire to learn more.
> One could even say: "mathematics wouldn't be fun if it was easy". (Well
> that
> might be a little hard on those that struggles with mathematics)
>
> Hard work (done by YOU) and a teacher that is really into mathematics is
> the
> best way to make it a pleasure!
>
> One often hear that mathematics should be more applicable in "real life".
> To
> some extent I agree, that would make it obvious that math can really be
> used in real life, but I don't think that can make it "living" or
> "exciting". If it should be "real-life mathematics" we would be stepping
> back to the age of the numerical recepies, i.e. the time before Euclides
> Elements and logical deduction.
>
>
> My question to you:
>
> Are there better ways of making mathematics fun than telling them that
> "either you like it or you have 12 long boring years in front of you"?
> Feel free to comment on my answer.


.

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