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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated

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To: LindyBill who wrote (120969)	6/20/2005 10:26:42 AM
From: Dennis O'Bell	of 793797

In a comparison of a 1973 algebra textbook and a 1998 "contemporary mathematics" textbook, Williamson Evers and Paul Clopton found a dramatic change in topics.... I've wondered how anyone could learn anything from these textbooks, with all that irrelevant clutter. But this is due in no small part to the textbook publishers, who have to find any way possible to sell yet another edition every single year. We're seeing capitalism and above all marketing in action, where it has no place. The core mathematics that should be taught in grade and high school is actually a rather stable subject and while there has had to be an evolution in what is taught in grade school because of computers, one doesn't need revisions every single year. When I say "computers", I don't mean not teaching basic arithmetic, or avoiding the dreaded "calculus" - I am referring to the more algorithmic way of thinking of mathematics that computers have brought on compared to when I was in grade school. Done right this can give a deeper understanding, and earlier, than in the early 60's. Above all, there is no substitute for good teachers, regardless of how bad the textbooks proffered by the publishers are.

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