One topic that has nearly vanished from my teaching is the solving of inequalities "by hand". There are several reasons for that choice:The techniques are difficult to teach and difficult to learn, because they are so close to the ones for the solving of linear equations, but differ in one crucial case.It is difficult to… Continue reading Solving Inequalities
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Using interactive geometry
This is the final post of my report on the Asilomar conference. (To read the whole set, start here.)I made a cameo appearance in my colleague Scott Nelson's presentation on how using computer software intelligently has made his Analytic Geometry course vastly more accessible. I loved his presentation. (If you teach in a member school… Continue reading Using interactive geometry
The third dimension!
This is another post about sessions I attended last weekend at the Asilomar Northern California CMC conference. (To read the whole set, start here.)Kevin Rees presented two variations on a classic volume optimization problem. In the traditional problem, you start with a square piece of cardboard, cut off congruent squares at the four corners, and… Continue reading The third dimension!
About Student-Created Problems
In my last post, I reported on Avery Pickford's exciting presentation at the Asilomar conference. The idea of student-created problems was thought-provoking — here are some thoughts it provoked.I have no doubt that pursuing student-created problems is worthwhile, but a skeptic may not be convinced by the argument that we should do this because it… Continue reading About Student-Created Problems
Student-Created Problems
This is the continuation of my report on last weekend's Asilomar conference. (Previous installment.)Avery Pickford's session was about student-created problems. You can read a summary on this blog (Without Geometry, Life is Pointless). Creating problems is, after all, what mathematicians do. Yes, they sometimes explore questions that have been posed by others, but even then,… Continue reading Student-Created Problems
Standards
Just back from the California Math Council Northern California conference. It takes place in Asilomar, a state beach and convention facility in Pacific Grove, near Monterey, CA. I've been taking this trip every year with the Urban School Math Department for who knows how long. We all ride down together in one van, and hang… Continue reading Standards
Complex Instruction
I visit a lot of schools and a lot of math classes. To be honest, those visits are often disappointing. Many math classes, at many schools, are depressingly similar: going over the homework; the presentation of a microskill by the teacher, while many students are thinking about something else; students starting the day's homework based… Continue reading Complex Instruction
Semi-Retirement!
This school year, I'll be teaching only 17%, and I won't have any other responsibilities at school. This will open up time for other things. I may expand my Web site, take on more consulting jobs, or get involved in new math education projects. Do let me know if you want to hire me, or… Continue reading Semi-Retirement!
Workshops in New York in August
I will be leading two summer workshops for teachers in New York City, Aug 13-17.The early-bird registration discount (15% off) is being extended to June 25.VISUAL ALGEBRAI have offered this 3-day workshop, and various parts of it, many, many times. It's about intelligent use of manipulatives and technology, plus a parallel axes representation. Also: three… Continue reading Workshops in New York in August
Puzzles in math education
Scott Kim, the author of the excellent Inversions, is launching a crusade to bring more puzzles to math education. He gave a talk on this subject at the Gathering 4 Gardner. (See the slides.) Martin Gardner, of course, is the author of the long-running Mathematical Games column in Scientific American. He inspired who knows how… Continue reading Puzzles in math education
Henri's Math Education Blog 