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I just came across into an interview New Scientist made with Robert Moses, a math teacher in US, who is complaining of what he calls "mathematical illiteracy". He believes that mathematical basic knowledge -in case of US he insists on algebra- will be a prerequisite for more efficient use of computers, ie modern technology. He believes that mathematics has been ignored in highschool educational schemes, a true idea, however not the whole truth. Similarly, lack of knowledge has been reported in science (see this) and geography (see this) among the superpower nation: Mathematics is not alone. I'm not the right person to discuss why such a thing has happened in US, but the very problem exists in Iran and to some extend in UK, and what I have understood is, youngsters have no idea why on earth they are studying all this bloody subjects at school. Most of the people like to go for higher education, but all they want from it is simply a better job, while in many cases they can't clearly describe their ideal job. (This can be seen as graduates going into careers that has little or no link with their studies) In his bestseller book "How To Win Friends And Influence People", Dale Carnegie suggests the idea that the best way to encourage people to do something is to give them enthusiasm. It is essential to convince the students that what they are learning is necessary for a better life. Comparing recent editions of university textbooks in physics, mathematics, and genetics with older ones, I have noticed that authors nowadays pay more attention to visualization of scientific concepts and their role in daily life. Possibly similar approach will be needed in school educational schemes. Moses has already found computers a good motive to make a new approach to math education, and also Pierre-Gilles de Gennes, a Nobel laureate in physics and professor at the College de France, recommends considering the strategic needs of Third World countries for their research students project proposals. He has actually warned, in the same interview, about the impact of American "economic boom" on their intellectual yield, pushing scientists to make money, instead of new contribution to knowledge; a possible explanation for why pure science is attracting less and less attention from private funding firms. This is potentially a starting point to convince investors for sacrificing their money for long-term benefits of good scientific achievements... Posted @ 7/09/2004 08:48:00 AM ______________________________________________
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