Trig was interesting, but it's so complex, just try to remember it. That's why the invented calculators. Maybe the new approach hit some ways of looking things more simply.
New math, on the other hand... Let's put it this way. I was an A student in Old Math. In New Math, I was a D student stuck in remedial programs. When allowed to go back to Old Math, I was an A student again.
I've been substitute teaching part-time since the start of the year, and I think the district likes me because I tend to want to do science and math classes (which scares off some subs). I've found that I still retain enough basic math, algebra, geometry, and even calculus to be able to help the kids out if they get stuck. But the trig classes I'm out to sea with, especially after the first couple of weeks. I just tell the kids "my trig is rusty, sorry." I think 'corroded' is more accurate, actually; it was never very good to begin with. 8)
And I have to say, the calculators they have these days are an improvement from when I was taking math. I wish they'd had graphing calculators available, for example.
I found myself looking at a trig program last year, and thinking "I remember doing this in college. Why don't I remember anything, now?" And I was reasonably good at back then. Says something, I think.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2005-09-19 11:42 pm (UTC)New math, on the other hand... Let's put it this way. I was an A student in Old Math. In New Math, I was a D student stuck in remedial programs. When allowed to go back to Old Math, I was an A student again.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 05:28 am (UTC)And I have to say, the calculators they have these days are an improvement from when I was taking math. I wish they'd had graphing calculators available, for example.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-20 05:39 pm (UTC)