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APPLIED ACADEMICS
NEWSWIRE
Volume # 15 May 7, 1999
Helping educators to bring the real world into the classroom
In this Issue...
TAKING SHOTS AT
THE BIG MATH MYTH
Malcolm Sneddon attacks the premise that some kids can't do math
A "HOW TO"
FOR TECHNICAL WRITING
A new resource for TPC 12
IMPLEMENTING IT
A report from the IT Forum.
CONTACT INFORMATION
1) TAKING SHOTS AT
THE BIG MATH MYTH
"Society would never accept that some
kids can read and some kids can't, yet many parents and students are ready to accept that
some kids just can't do math." So explains one of BC's leading advocates for the
concept of numeracy, Malcolm Sneddon. This approach to mathematics parallels literacy, and
it seems to be steadily gaining momentum.
The principle behind numeracy is quite simple.
Just as literacy is the exploration of the world through words, numeracy is the
exploration of the world through numbers. Mathematics is approached as a language that we
use to make sense of the world. Thus, numeracy dismantles the myth that math competency is
out of reach for some students. Over time, this could dramatically alter the teaching of
mathematics.
For ages it has been implied that if we teach
the basic math skills, then students will be able to apply them to everyday life. Text
books were written to support this belief, indexing their content to the structure of
mathematics. Unfortunately, math is rarely presented in such a clearly organized way
outside of the classroom. In fact, many science teachers lament that students have
difficulty transferring math skills even between subjects.
This is where Sneddon feels that the numeracy
approach and applied academics can make a difference. "The fastest way to learn
French is to live in
France. The problem with math has been that
you spend so long learning the skills before you apply them. This is much like 10 years of
classroom French before the trip to France." Numeracy would encourage teaching math
skills in the context of real world applications. This would move students away from work
where the math comes with a label, and teach them to decide which skills are needed for
which applications.
Sneddon is quick to admit that resources for
the numeracy model are still in the developmental stage. Nevertheless, courses like the
Applications of Mathematics support and complement this approach.
What are your views on the numeracy model and
the teaching of mathematics? Why not email applacad@cln.etc.bc.ca?
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2) A "HOW
TO" FOR TECHNICAL WRITING: TPC RESOURCE
For most of us, it would be a daunting task to
sit down and write a paper that presented technical data for a group of scientists. It
would be a nightmarish task if the paper had to be designed for presentation on the web or
in the multimedia. Yet similar tasks will be required of many of today's students once
they enter the work force. Teaching these skills is one of the central goals of Technical
and Professional Communications 12.
As TPC teachers try to find creative ways to
teach these skills, the search for quality resources broadens. Enter a new resource from
Oryx Press. How to Write and Present Technical Information by Charles H. Sides offers a
user-friendly resource for those needing to communicate technical information. The book is
presented in a reference format and covers such topics as knowing your audience, writing
and designing for the Web and multimedia, writing proposals and handling presentations and
meetings. Although this book is not a Ministry of Education recommended resource, it still
appears to be a helpful source for teachers.
Information on this resource can be found at
www.oryxpress.com or by emailing info@oryxpress.com. Do you have any other suggestions for
TPC resources? Why not share them with the list by emailing cfaanews@islandnet.com?
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3) IMPLEMENTING IT
Are you noticing a renewed enthusiasm
emanating from your school's information technology lab? It could well be that the teacher
participated in last week's IT Forum.
Information Technology 11/12 teachers have
struggled with the difficulty of implementing a new course in a rapidly evolving subject,
with a profusion of resources and opportunities. On April 29th and 30th, the Burnaby
School District, the Centre for Curriculum Transfer and Technology and the CFAA sponsored
a forum to develop the IT program to address these challenges.
Feedback from the 100 participants has been
excellent. Most of those attending felt that the weekend would dramatically effect their
teaching, and enjoyed the chance to discuss possible solutions. The focus group
discussions, informal times for sharing ideas and constructive ideas for enhancing
classroom teaching, were all mentioned as forum highlights.
Stay tuned for future reports on some of the
constructive follow-up resources emerging from the Forum.
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4) CONTACT INFORMATION
APPLIED ACADEMICS NEWSWIRE is a service
of the Center for Applied Academics.
Center for Applied Academics
Suite 702 - 555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6B 3H2 CANADA
Phone: 604/412.7634 Fax: 604/688.5924
Toll Free: 1 877 293-CFAA
Internet: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/cfaa
E-mail at cfaa0010@bcitvm.bcit.ca.
Should you have questions about the CFAA
list, please contact:
Bruce Deacon at cfaanews@islandnet.com
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