A few years ago, I was working with a group of reluctant learners who asked that ever-popular question, "Why do I need this?" adding that they will never need math. Instead of going off on a lengthy missive, I decided to use it as an opportunity to help them find their answers online. Together, we googled their question, hoping that I could help inspire, connect, and nurture.
I came across an article entitled, Why Must I Learn Math? by Mark Karadimos, a high school teacher in the suburbs of Chicago. His feature helped answer several questions regarding why mathematics is important. The article initiated a rich conversation (that I'll talk about more soon), so I thought I'd share it with visitors to this site. Recently, I learned that Mr. Karadimos has a blog where he shares his thoughts on teaching and learning found at http://www.gigagod.blogspot.com/. I am looking forward to reading some of his entries, but for now, I wanted to share what he wrote that spurred my interest.
Why Must I Learn Math
by Mark Karadimos
Every subject contains
information necessary to become a knowledgeable and functional member of our
society. As we become more technologically dependent, technical reasoning is
needed for survival. Mathematics is no longer just a subject taken by the
elite. Now it has rightfully become a staple in our educational systems even
though it is not appreciated by many people until it is needed. I decided to
write this essay to help people become open to learning math by understanding
what math is all about. [Hidden Agenda: Since I am a high school math teacher,
this essay allows me to spend more time teaching mathematical techniques
instead of talking about this during class.]
Those who do not appreciate math are those who do not understand what
math is all about. That is why the nature of math desperately needs to be
explained. Simply put, math is about solving problems.
How can math help me solve problems?
Ever
since there were humans in existence, there have been problems to solve.
Whether the problems were over basic requirements like sustaining sufficient
amounts of food or major accomplishments like constructing multifunctional
homes, problems such as these remain with us to this day. The peculiar thing
about problems is that they all have similar properties.
What do all problems have in common?
Successful problem solvers are able to understand what is expected of
the problems they face. In other words, they know all of the details
surrounding the problem at hand, which is the most important step to solving
problems. It requires an attention to detail and therefore patience. After
examining the details, intelligent choices need to be made as well as the
beginning steps of developing a strategy. The plan must be carried out in an
order that makes sense. So careful planning, possibly by justifiable
experimentation, must take place. Once an actual solution is obtained, it must
be tested to determine whether or not it is reasonable.
What does problem solving have to do with math in school?
Every math problem that gets discussed, handled, and assigned forces us
to use many, if not all, of the detailed methods of problem solving. Each
individual problem becomes a small but important lesson for solving problems in
general. Math is traditionally learned by first doing many smaller problems.
Then the small problems are put together to solve bigger problems. For
instance, in order to solve algebraic equations, being knowledgeable about
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is a must. Ordering the
steps to be carried out, evaluating expressions, and learning how and when
equations are used must be learned, too.
Who commonly uses math?
Everybody uses math whether they realize it or not. Shoppers use math to
calculate change, tax, and sales prices. Cooks use math to modify the amount a
recipe will make. Vacationers use math to find time of arrivals and departures
to plan their trips. Even homeowners use math to determine the cost of
materials when doing projects. (note from me... see the entire article for a list of jobs shared in Mr. Karadimos' article)
Can I get a good job without learning a lot of math?
In
all honesty, anything is possible. However, less and less labor intensive jobs
are available. Workers in those fields are being replaced by machinery and
robotics. Even when those jobs are available, the pay is usually substandard.
In order to gain successful employment, technical skills must be learned.
Someone has to fix all of those machines and robots.
What are employers looking for?
Employers are looking for three basic traits. They want their employees
to be able to reason, work with technical equipment, and communicate their
thoughts with other employees. It is clear that math deals with developing
reason and working with technical equipment. It is not so clear how math
affects communication. Successfully using math can improve the ability to speak
and write more clearly. Language, at least the type needed for work, tends to
be extremely structured and mathematical ability helps deal with that
structure.
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