I occasionally get emails from people asking “do you have any tips on how to teach math to my autistic son/daughter?” These queries leave me torn – I can’t help but want to help, but I have no experience with autism.
Category: Education
The Mouse-Eating Geniuses of Bihar
The Mushar people are amongst the poorest of the world’s poor. If you search the web, you’ll find descriptions of these people that range from encyclopaedic to heartbreaking. Their problem is not just that they are poor. They also live in the poorest state in India. Worst of all, they are considered “untouchables” in the Hindu caste system.
Everyday Life Math
Math permeates everyday life. It’s a bit cliché to say that, but nonetheless it’s true. It also means that parents can do wonders for a kids’ math education – there are things moms and dads can do that teachers cannot match.
Are Computers Bad for Kids?
My son’s teacher sent home a clipping from the newspaper, with the headline “Screens Damage Young: Expert”. According to the article, a UK psychologist “is demanding” that computer screens not be used in the education of kids under 9.
Who Is Better At Math?
About two months ago, I asked the question “Are Asians Better At Math?” The answer would appear to be yes (though some disagree). The book I was reading suggested that while young Asian students do perform better at math than students in Western schools (once you account for differences in socio-economic status and yada yada), the reasons were nothing whatsoever to do with ethnicity.
Creative Math Teaching
I just saw this excellent online presentation about creative ways to teach math – it explains (briefly) what’s wrong with the current “linear” method of teaching math, and gives some tips on how to improve matters – even within the current system.
Check it out below :
Is Math Really Important?
I met someone after church the other day, and the conversation went like this
- Someone: And what’s your speciality?
- Me: Mathematics
- Someone: So, you teach in the University?
- Me: No, why should I be teaching in the University just because I specialise in mathematics?
There seems to be a general impression (and I’m deliberately overstating this) that the only use for math is to teach it. Even some teachers believe this, apparently. Here’s another conversation I had with someone at a bus stop :
Silly Hat Day In School
One of my son’s teachers came up with a scheme for motivating her students to do well. I’m sure many similar schemes have been devised in the past, but I thought I’d share it here. Continue reading Silly Hat Day In School
Are Asians Better At Math?
Are Asians better at math? It might not be a politically correct question, but anyone who has been teaching math for a while will have encountered it – at least if they’ve been teaching with their eyes open!
Top students in math are “often” of Chinese origin. Studies comparing overall math performance of school students show that English-speaking Western countries are falling behind European countries and the more developed Asian countries. It might not be politically correct to think about these questions, but it’s stupid not to think about them. Is this a real phenomenon? Is it important? And what should we do about it? Can we get answers based on evidence, rather than supposition or heresay? Continue reading Are Asians Better At Math?