Word: math
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1950-1959
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...three-semester program would seem to be one effective way of organizing such a program. Preferably the first semester would consist of mathematics and could thus be skipped by anyone who had completed this equivalent. Such an introductory semester of math might give the rudimentary concepts of functions, calculus, and the limit--a requisite for understanding the idea of approximation and measurement. With a semester of math under his belt the student could continue on to a semester of basic physics--perhaps mechanics and thermo-dynamics--to get the fundamental concepts of energy...
...those who have serious doubts as to their math abilities, an option in biology might replace the semester of mathematics; such a course would preferably develop a few large concepts--like evolution and genetics--rather than wander into descriptive specificity. Under this program a second semester which explored biochemical problems might be valuable...
Thus the natural science program could provide a basic level of math achievement and a certain working with science itself. To place science in its historical setting is a fine objective and might be valuably continued to some degree, but primary emphasis should be placed on learning science itself, not its cultural setting. Such a program as the above is no panacea to the problems attendant upon teaching science, but without sacrificing choice (since commitments to any particular course would be only for a semester, not a year), it offers a higher level of achievement. The demands and satisfactions...
...drawn by lot from lists circulated weeks beforehand, it is possible for a hard-working parrot to have huge scholastic success. For panicked patriots who insist that the-U.S. look abroad for an educational model-something he does not suggest-Hechinger reports that Norwegian academies teach more math and physics than Soviet schools, and that "any French high school graduate would find the Russian [final] exam a breeze...
...intelligent boy especially strong in math, John Thomas also runs the hurdles for fun, throws the javelin 150 ft., has put the shot 45 ft. with no special practice. What bothers him most is pre-jump nervousness. "The moment I fear is just standing there waiting to go." He used to cover his ears as the loudspeaker announced the jump he was about to attempt. When he broke his own record in the Knights of Columbus meet in Boston (where he first ran the hurdles -"It loosens me up"), Thomas did it during the climax of the big mile race...