Math isn't hard, it's a language | Randy Palisoc | TEDxManhattanBeach
TLDRRandy Palisoc emphasizes the importance of treating math as a human language rather than an abstract subject to improve understanding among students. He argues that by using relatable examples and language, math can become intuitive, as demonstrated with his young niece's ability to add fractions and algebraic terms. Palisoc calls for a change in teaching methods to enhance math proficiency and empower students to use mathematical thinking in real-life situations.
Takeaways
- 📊 Only 26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in Math, indicating a need for improvement in educational approaches.
- 🧠 The belief that only a certain percentage of people are 'hardwired' for Math is incorrect; all kids can understand Math with the right teaching methods.
- 🗣 Math is a human language, similar to English or Spanish, used for communication and essential in various aspects of life since ancient times.
- 🌐 Galileo's famous quote emphasizes that the laws of nature are expressed in the language of mathematics, highlighting its universality.
- 🔍 The current teaching methods have abstracted Math to a point where it's unrecognizable and confusing to students.
- 📚 The 3rd-grade California Math Standard provided as an example is too abstract for young students, illustrating the need for more relatable teaching materials.
- 🍎 Teaching Math through everyday language and scenarios, like adding apples, makes it more intuitive and understandable for kids.
- 📈 Even young children can grasp complex Math concepts like fractions when taught using relatable analogies and language.
- 🎓 The importance of understanding foundational Math concepts early, such as fractions, to ease the learning process in higher levels like algebra and calculus.
- 🔑 Language-based teaching methods can make Math intuitive, as demonstrated by the 5-year-old correctly answering Math problems that are typically taught at a much older age.
- 🌟 Building confidence in Math, especially with foundational skills like multiplication, can transform a student's approach to problem-solving and self-esteem.
- 🚀 Encouraging a language-based approach to Math education can help students see Math as a tool for solving real-world problems, not just an academic subject.
Q & A
What is the percentage of U.S. 12th graders who are proficient in Math according to the nation's report card mentioned in the transcript?
-According to the transcript, 26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in Math.
What does the speaker argue is the main reason for kids' confusion with Math?
-The speaker argues that kids are confused by Math because it has been taught as a dehumanized subject, rather than as a human language.
How does the speaker compare Math to other languages such as English, Spanish, or Chinese?
-The speaker compares Math to other languages by stating that Math is a human language that allows people to communicate with each other, just like English, Spanish, or Chinese.
What does the speaker suggest is the historical purpose of Math?
-The speaker suggests that historically, Math was used to conduct trade, build monuments, and measure land for farming.
Who agrees with the speaker's view that Math is a language, and what did this person say about the laws of nature?
-Galileo agrees with the speaker's view that Math is a language, stating that 'The laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics.'
What is the speaker's critique of the way fractions are taught in the 3rd grade California Math Standard?
-The speaker criticizes the 3rd grade California Math Standard for being abstract and difficult for an eight-year-old to understand, which can lead to confusion and a lack of foundational knowledge in Math.
How does the speaker use the concept of 'apples + apples' to teach fractions to 5th graders?
-The speaker uses the 'apples + apples' concept to teach fractions by emphasizing the importance of including words in Math, making it relatable and understandable for 5th graders.
What is the surprising result when the speaker tests a 5-year-old with a high-school algebra question?
-Surprisingly, the 5-year-old girl correctly answers the high-school algebra question of '7 x² plus 2 x²' as '9 x²' without needing to understand exponent rules.
How does the speaker describe the importance of mastering multiplication facts for a high-school student struggling with algebra?
-The speaker describes mastering multiplication facts as crucial for the high-school student, comparing it to having a fast pass to every ride of Disneyland, making everything in Math easier.
What challenge does the speaker issue to the audience regarding the proficiency rate of Math in the U.S.?
-The speaker challenges the audience to push the Math proficiency rate higher than the current 26%, emphasizing the importance of teaching Math as a human language to achieve this goal.
What is the speaker's view on the potential of all individuals to understand Math?
-The speaker believes that all individuals have the ability to understand Math, as it is a human language and not something that people are either naturally good or bad at.
Outlines
📚 Rehumanizing Math Education
The speaker, Radu Chirila, addresses the low proficiency rate of U.S. 12th graders in Math, which stands at 26%. He challenges the notion that only a fraction of the population is naturally inclined towards Math, asserting that the issue lies in the dehumanized way Math is taught. Chirila emphasizes that Math is a human language, essential for communication and practical applications throughout history. He criticizes the abstract and confusing way Math standards are presented, particularly the explanation of fractions, which are foundational to higher mathematics. To illustrate his point, Chirila shares an anecdote of teaching fractions to young children using the concept of adding apples and pencils, demonstrating that even very young children can grasp mathematical concepts when taught as a language. He concludes the paragraph by showing how a 5-year-old can intuitively understand the addition of fractions, suggesting that with the right approach, Math can be made accessible and understandable to all.
🌟 Transforming Math Anxiety into Confidence
In this paragraph, the speaker continues to advocate for a language-based approach to teaching Math, using the success story of a 5-year-old who can add fractions and even solve a high-school algebra problem without formal knowledge of exponent rules. Chirila refutes the belief that people are either 'hardwired' for Math or not, arguing that everyone has the potential to understand it. He recounts his experience with a high-school student struggling with algebra due to a lack of knowledge in multiplication facts, which he compares to knowing only 44% of the alphabet when trying to read. By focusing on mastering multiplication, the student gained confidence and was able to apply Math to real-life situations, such as calculating the cost of a car lease. Chirila ends with a call to action, urging the audience to help increase the Math proficiency rate, emphasizing the importance of mathematical thinking for building young minds and shaping the future. He suggests that teaching Math as a human language is a simple yet effective way to achieve this goal.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Math
💡Proficiency
💡Fractions
💡Language
💡Abstract
💡Algebra
💡Multiplication Facts
💡Confidence
💡Problem Solving
💡Humanized
💡Educational Approach
Highlights
Only 26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in Math, indicating a need for improvement in the country's math education.
The speaker argues that the low proficiency is not due to only 26% of people being hardwired for Math, but rather the way Math is taught.
Math should be taught as a human language, similar to English or Spanish, to make it more relatable and understandable.
Ancient people used the language of Math for trade, building, and farming, showing its historical relevance and practicality.
Galileo's quote is mentioned to emphasize that the laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics.
The current teaching methods have abstracted Math beyond recognition, leading to student confusion.
An example of a 3rd-grade Math Standard is given to illustrate the complexity and abstraction in current teaching materials.
The importance of understanding fractions is highlighted as they are fundamental to algebra, trigonometry, and calculus.
A teaching method using the 'apples + apples' analogy is introduced to simplify the understanding of fractions.
The story of the speaker's 5-year-old niece demonstrates that even young children can understand fractions with the right approach.
The niece's ability to answer a high-school algebra question without formal math rules shows the intuitive nature of Math when taught as a language.
The speaker refutes the idea that people are either hardwired for Math or not, emphasizing that Math is a human language accessible to all.
A high-school student's struggle with algebra is shared, highlighting the importance of mastering multiplication facts as a foundation for Math.
The student's improvement in Math and confidence after learning her multiplication tables illustrates the power of a language-based approach.
The speaker challenges the audience to increase the national Math proficiency rate, emphasizing the role of mathematical thinking in shaping the future.
The final challenge is to teach Math as a human language to make it more intuitive and accessible, with the example of 'apples + apples' as a simple starting point.