Battleground Schools

Battleground Schools

My first stop is about the phobia that mathematics is a tough and a boring subject. Moreover, it is believed that the people who like mathematics are reserved, strict and absentminded. Even in my elementary schooling I still remember that I had almost lost my interest in mathematics, as we did not get a math teacher the whole year. Social study teacher used to teach us math. When I went to high school, our teacher changed our supposition about mathematics. He used to tell us stories of great mathematicians and scientists. He gave us an example of Albert Einstein who was not good in mathematics in the beginning years. He changed our assumption that math is a boring subject. He used to say that math is a game which is played on paper.

My second stop is about John Dewey’s approach which is associated with mathematical reforms. He advocated the development of high quality mental process and scientific attitude, instead of conservative traditions, which are generally quick and correct answer oriented. Dewey follows the progressive approach of education in which he takes challenging problems as an incentive which are certainly helpful in increasing the logical approach of the students. They understand patterns instead of cramming formulas.

Another thing which took my more attention is the new math. It is about the cold war between two greatest powers. Actually, there was a technological competition between Soviet Union and United States. Moreover, it was some anxiety of United States that they are losing in higher mathematics as compared to Soviet Union. Under the supervision of professor Edward G. Bagle, they started rewriting the curriculum of mathematics for both elementary and secondary level in 1960.