Math isn't hard, it's a language | Randy Palisoc | TEDxManhattanBeach

Summary

The speaker addresses the low math proficiency rate among U.S. 12th graders, arguing that the issue lies in the dehumanized teaching of math rather than a lack of innate ability. By treating math as a language, similar to English or Spanish, and using real-world examples, math can be made intuitive and understandable for all students. The speaker shares personal experiences teaching fractions and multiplication, emphasizing the importance of language in making math accessible and inspiring confidence in students to solve real-life problems.

Takeaways

• 📊 Only 26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in Math, indicating a significant educational challenge.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges the notion that only a fixed percentage of people are 'hardwired' for Math, suggesting instead that teaching methods are at fault.
• 👩‍🏫 Math should be taught as a human language, similar to English or Spanish, to make it more relatable and understandable.
• 🏛 Math has been essential throughout history for trade, building, and farming, highlighting its practical origins.
• 📚 The abstraction of Math from its real-world applications has led to confusion among students.
• 🍎 Teaching Math through everyday examples, like adding apples, can make complex concepts more intuitive for children.
• 📐 Fractions, foundational to higher math, are often misunderstood due to poor teaching methods.
• 👧 Even very young children can understand basic Math concepts when taught using language and relatable examples.
• 📈 Mastery of multiplication tables is crucial for students to succeed in algebra and beyond.
• 🔑 Language-based learning can help students internalize Math facts quickly and effectively.
• 🌟 Building confidence in Math is key to helping students overcome anxiety and excel in problem-solving.
• 🚀 The speaker calls for a change in Math education to treat it as a human language, which can unlock students' potential and improve national proficiency.

Q & A

What is the current proficiency rate of U.S. 12th graders in Math according to the nation's report card?

The proficiency rate of U.S. 12th graders in Math is 26%, as mentioned in the script.

What does the speaker believe is the reason behind the low proficiency rate in Math among students?

The speaker believes that students struggle with Math because it has been taught as a dehumanized subject, rather than as a human language that makes sense in the context of the real world.

Why does the speaker compare Math to languages like English, Spanish, or Chinese?

The speaker compares Math to these languages because, like them, Math is a means of communication that has been essential for trade, building, and land measurement since ancient times.

What philosopher is quoted in the script, and what did they say about the relationship between the laws of nature and mathematics?

The philosopher Galileo is quoted, saying, 'The laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics,' implying that Math is intrinsic to understanding the world around us.

Why do students find fractions confusing according to the script?

Students find fractions confusing because the way they are taught has become abstract and disconnected from the real-world context, making it difficult for students to relate to and understand.

What is the 'apples + apples' lesson mentioned in the script, and how does it help students understand fractions?

The 'apples + apples' lesson is a teaching method where the teacher starts with simple, relatable objects like apples to illustrate the concept of adding fractions. It helps students understand that adding like items (apples in this case) results in a sum that still represents the same kind of item, thus making the concept of adding fractions more intuitive.

How did the speaker's 5-year-old niece demonstrate understanding of adding fractions without knowing about numerators and denominators?

The niece demonstrated understanding by using the analogy of adding apples to comprehend the addition of one third plus one third, which she correctly answered as '2 thirds,' showing that she grasped the concept without needing to know the formal mathematical terms.

What high-school algebra question did the speaker's 5-year-old niece answer correctly, and what does this suggest about the potential for all students to understand Math?

The niece correctly answered the question 'What's 7 x² plus 2 x²?' with '9 x².' This suggests that all students have the potential to understand Math if it is taught in a way that is intuitive and relatable to them.

Why did the high-school student the speaker worked with struggle with algebra, and how was this issue resolved?

The high-school student struggled with algebra because she only knew 44% of her multiplication facts, which is like trying to read without knowing most of the alphabet. The issue was resolved by systematically learning her times tables, which improved her overall fluency and confidence in Math.

What challenge does the speaker issue to the audience, and why is it important for the future?

The speaker challenges the audience to push the Math proficiency rate higher than the current 26%. It is important because mathematical thinking is crucial for young minds to imagine and build a future that doesn't yet exist, and teaching Math as a human language can help achieve this goal.