Comment by graemep
2 days ago
> You gotta drill the basic arithmetic in order to learn it
Do less arithmetic. We have calculators so arithmetic matters less.
> no amount of sugarcoating will make kids like it.
Sugarcoating is exactly the wrong approach. Its making the subject itself enjoyable.
https://profkeithdevlin.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lockh...
> This is the lesson unlearned by proponents of "New Math" and "Common Core" in the USA
Not familiar with those, but I the "its fun" approach has worked for me.
"We have calculators so arithmetic matters less" you say?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-pound_burger#Marketing_f...
"The results revealed that many participants mistakenly believed that one-third of a pound was smaller than one-fourth (quarter) of a pound. Focus group participants expressed confusion over the price, asking why they should pay the same amount for a "smaller" third-pound burger."
I agree with that, but most of those people probably can do arithmetic and were drilled in it at school, but drill to get the right answers does not teach you how to apply it.
> We have calculators so arithmetic matters less.
Disagee. Fluency in basic arithmetic is a very useful life skill.
Some things are. Being able to estimate rough answers in your head is far more useful than being able to do an exact answer with pen and paper.
> Do less arithmetic. We have calculators so arithmetic matters less.
would you also posit that, since we have AI auto gen tools, we no longer need to teach spelling/grammar to children?
Very different skills.
I would not teach spelling by drill and memorisation either - you pick it up if you read.
It matters less, but the lack of numeracy means many people are befuddled by the most basic math related conversations, statistical conversations (polling), fraction or rate based (APR? Taxes???) things - all over the place.
Learning the basics and drilling them is a useful skill even if you can make the machine do it for you.
But most of those people befuddled by these things were drilled in it, but do not know how to apply it. Drill without understanding.