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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread Anecdotage and logic #169335 07/23/07 12:48 PM Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 1 B Bob Wilson OP stranger OP Bob Wilson stranger B Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 1 My research interest these days is mathematics education, and I am frequently upset by the kind of evidence supposedly smart people will give for their positions. One of my favorite quotations in this regard is: Proof is not the plural of anecdote! Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: Anecdotage and logic Bob Wilson #169336 07/23/07 02:00 PM Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,526 Virginia, USA TheFallibleFiend veteran TheFallibleFiend veteran Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,526 Virginia, USA There is a science teacher on another forum who says, "The plural of anecdote is not data." I'm also interested in mathematics and computer science education. I'm a long-time tutor at a local HS and for the past few years I have run the community outreach program where I work. We tutor students at local schools - including HS, MS, ES. We have a deaf employee who tutors a deaf kid on several subjects and we have a number of other tutors who tutor on various things. I also do guest lectures in CS. (In fact, I'm putting some of my lectures on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=05A438121EDCC103 ) We also have a teacher internship program, an essay contest, a science night - and a few other things. A new program we're trying to kick-off is to have a professional day where 9th graders come to spend half a day with us and learn how we use basic algebra. I'm not an expert, but that doesn't stop me from forming opinions. I'm very skeptical of what passes for research and study in the area of education. I think a LOT of people start with philosophy and then start looking for data to support it - even funding "studies" with pre-determined conclusions. A prime example of poor analysis is the NCTM's "standards and practices" document, which is much more of a socio-political manifesto than a work of science. Here's an interesting video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI There was a really sought after math teacher who was brought in to teach at my kids' school. She tried to teach the kids these other rules - which is not bad AFTER you understand the basic method. I had to go back in and do some work with my kids to make sure she didn't screw them up. BTW, I've tutored in a number of subjects, but mostly algebra and geometry. (The calc kids usually don't need a lot of tutoring.) Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: TERC TheFallibleFiend #169369 07/26/07 03:52 PM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky Jackie Carpal Tunnel Jackie Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 11,613 Louisville, Kentucky these other rules - which is not bad AFTER you understand the basic method. You ain't kiddin', Mac. Jeez. WAY too cumbersome, unless, like you said, they already know the traditional way, and can then choose which method would be easier for any particular problem. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: TERC Jackie #169457 08/06/07 03:56 PM Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 4 Texas A alliedog stranger alliedog stranger A Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 4 Texas Re: I think a LOT of people start with philosophy and then start looking for data to support it Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't logic -- and hence math -- philosophy? philos -- loving + sophia -- wisdom, knowledge. Archimedes, Euclid, Eratosthenes, Pythagoras -- all philosophers of the first order. A philosopher is (preferably) never dogmatic, small-minded or restrictive to new, even revolutionary ways of thinking. Sometimes you have to have a crazy idea and then go for a nice long walk or experiment with mirrors to come up with answers. Seems to me logic (and math, and computer science in its various manifestations ... ) can always use some great philosophers. Speaking as a mathophobe (?), of course. Allie Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. 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