How we teach Mathematics
And why we need a change
Mathematics is a subject that is often touted as essential for success in life, with a wide range of applications in fields as diverse as engineering, physics, and economics. However, the way that mathematics is currently taught in schools may not be the most effective for preparing students for the challenges they will face in the real world.
Too many and Too few
The traditional mathematics curriculum is often geared towards preparing students for further study in mathematics, computer science, and engineering. This means that many of the modules taught, such as calculus and geometry, may not have much practical application for students who do not intend to pursue careers in these fields.
At the same time, there are often too few modules that focus on skills that will be useful in real life, such as practical statistics and financial mathematics. This leads to serious problems in adult life — like financial illiteracy and their disastrous consequences. This also hurts those who pursue advanced study. For example, the lack of basic statistical fundamentals contributes to a lot of fatuous research in Economics and other social sciences.
Practical and Advanced
To address this issue, some have proposed splitting mathematics into two separate subjects: practical mathematics and advanced mathematics. The idea behind this proposal is to create a curriculum that is better tailored to the needs of students with different interests and career goals.
Practical mathematics would focus on the types of mathematical skills that are most likely to be useful in everyday life. This might include topics such as basic statistics, financial mathematics, and geometry in the context of practical applications. The goal of practical mathematics would be to equip students with the tools they need to make informed decisions in areas such as personal finance, business, and civic life.
Advanced mathematics, on the other hand, would be geared towards students who intend to pursue further study in mathematics, computer science, or engineering. This might include topics such as advanced calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. The goal of advanced mathematics would be to set a foundation for students who intend future advanced study.
The benefits of this approach are clear. By tailoring the mathematics curriculum to the needs of different groups of students, we can ensure that everyone receives the education they need to succeed in their chosen fields. This can help to reduce the gap between theory and practice, making mathematics more relevant and accessible to a wider range of people.
Of course, implementing this approach would require significant changes to the way that mathematics is currently taught in schools. Teachers would need to be trained in new pedagogical approaches, and new curricula would need to be developed.
However, the benefits of these changes would be well worth the effort.
