Instead of taking algebra 2 and trig, teach math through Physics
Posted by Ethan-Wakefield@reddit | CrazyIdeas | View on Reddit | 4 comments
Pretty simple idea: don’t just teach algebra 2 and trig in abstract plug and chug problems, teach in the context of physics. It’ll be much easier to understand trig by doing problems in physics.
Later on, you’ve even got an easier bridge to calc.
That_Toe8574@reddit
Physics class: okay class. Today we are going to learn about velocity is the differential of position and acceleration is the differential of velocity!
Class: what's a differential?!
Physics teacher: takes a semester long break to teach calculus 1 so they can finish the lesson.
I do think there could be more effort in teaching math in a more practical sense. That was half a joke, but all of those disciplines are intertwined. If you tried to learn all the disciplines through one subject, you would just learn that subject very slowly as you're being taught the necessary background skills to keep progressing.
joshkahl@reddit
I took physics based calculus before I took calculus and our teacher had no problem saying "a derivative is the instantaneous rate of change of something, like dx/dt is velocity, dv/dt is acceleration. For the few in the class who haven't taken calc yet, real quick the power rule is this... that's about all well use in this class, moving on..."
Ethan-Wakefield@reddit (OP)
My experience in calc was that many people never knew WTF a differentially really was because they never had to use one in context. I didn't really appreciate what a differential was until I had to use it in physics.
And my experience as a math tutor has always been that everybody comes into the tutoring center asking, "WTF am I ever going to use this stupid sin, cos, and tan for? Okay, I can repeat 'sohcahtoa' all day but how the fuck does any of this matter?"
Most (of my) math teachers would just say, "Don't worry, it's coming. You'll see. And when you need to trig, you're going to be happy I made you do it. Now say it with me again, sohcahtoa! Sohcahtoa! What's sin 30? Tell me again, WHAT IS SIN 30?"
And it's just... shitty.
Im_high_as_shit@reddit
That's how I teach it...with an airsoft gun and tripod. But I'm a private tutor and most schools don't have access to equipment nor want to deal with risk of injury.