When will I ever use this?
I teach math. My favorite questions are: "What's this good for?" and "When will I ever use this?" My mind says, "When will I not use this?" Math is not only numbers; it is logic and sequencing.
Example: If I stop buying pop and snacks from the machines each day and put that $2 in the bank each day (250 working days of the year), how much money will I have in the bank after 1 year? $500 + interest. After 10 years? $5,000 + interest. What other possible benefits might I receive? I might be healthier and use less sick days at work, resulting in more pay, more vacation time, more promotions, etc. I might gain less weight and feel good about myself and spend less money on new clothes.
The logic presented in math helps with the logic we should use in time management, in decisions in life, etc. Math is everywhere.
Thank you,
Carol
Thank you for your excellent example of how logic skills developed in math classes, can be applied to every day life. I teach algebra to respiratory therapy students. It is sometimes hard for the students to see how some of the more complex topics that we cover (like graphing functions) are directly applicable to what they will be doing in the field. It is nice to be able to show them, how the logic and problem solving skills that they are developing are useful in all areas of life.
i tell my students all the time if you dont use it you lose it so try and remember as much as you can because you will never know when that instructor my pull the material out of a bag
Hi Richard- Thanks for your post to the forum. I liked your ideas for explaining the relevance of a knowledge of Math in our daily lives! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I run into this a lot when I'm teaching math, and make it something of a joke. Like in "Peggy Sue Got Married" when the character goes back in time and laughs at having to take algebra again in high school. But then I get serious and try to give examples like yours, Carol. I also discuss how, even if specific math might not be used, being able to handle numbers, be comfortable with terms, and having a general mastery of this topic makes it hard to fool you. It's a feeling of power and when dealing with something like a mortgage loan is terribly important for financial planning. They usually get that.
Hi Rosemary- It is amazing how resistant students can be to the gral education skills like Math. We just have to show them how it is relevant. Susan
I also teach in fashion design and find that students are shocked that they will have to use math. Even though students thought they knew fractions they can't seem to relate it to measurement. I use visual examples such as dividing up a pizza or a banana into equal sections. Food always seems to get their attention.
HI Nicole- Thanks for sharing some more great ideas of Math in Action!! Best wishes- Susan
To my students' great suprise, math also relates to fashion design. I cannot tell you the number of students who don't know how to figure out feet, yards, and inches. Also, for pattern engineering we use a lot of geometry to draft the patterns for which they need to know how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Hi Joseph- Thank you for a great illustration of how to relate the technical discipline to Mathematics! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Joseph- Thank you for a great illustration of how to relate the technical discipline to Mathematics! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
I too liked this example of explaining the use of math. I teach basic electricity and advanced electronics at a technical school, and while I dont often get the question, "How is this going to help me when I enter the field as a technician?" when we start using Ohms law or Watts law equations, when I do, I give an explanation by first posing a question. "What exactly is Ohms Law?" While the vast majority can explain the equation, not many have a definition of it. I will let the discussion go on until the class begins to formulate an answer as a group or someone comes up with it (usually someone who has encountered it in the past.) If they dont, I explain that it is a formula used to predict the behavior of electricity. This seems to give a great many of them an "aha!" moment, as they begin to see the relationship between understanding the concept, applying the formula, and seeing the physical results as we progress through the lab training.
I too thought that this was a great post. I teach egine classes at a technical school and I never thought of relating the math to everyday use like you do.
Hi Eric - I too was impressed with this concept and will be using it to explain the importance of courses like Math and Composition. Best wishes - Susan
I do not teach math. I teach engine diagnostics at a technical school. Whenever using very basic algebra for calculations relevant to engine, the response from several students is that "I did not come here to learn math!" I never quite heard this explained in your fashion. Math is required for every aspect of life. I had never thought about the logical sequencing developed in mathmatics that is a neccessity in diagnostics. Thanks.
WOW--I have never thought of associating and incorporating mathematics into other areas of life as you have presented!
I teach in a health sciences program and the majority of my students only want to apply mathematics to a very limited scope of practice and skills. Your posting has given me ideas for broadening the importance of correct math application for skills taught in the program. Thank you.
Hi Carol- I admit I am a "math-a-phobic" but I loved your post! Thanks for sharing! Susan
