Quote:
Originally Posted by winders
So English teachers should say syntax "is no biggie" as long as the student gets where they need to go?
Yes, it is important to understand the whats and the whys....but understanding the importance of syntax and using it properly are equally important in a mathematics class. In Shop class, for example, the math syntax is far less important than "getting where they need to go". In most people's every day lives math syntax is far less important than "getting where they need to go". In math class? Syntax is important.
|
Equally important? Really? I knew kids in college who could go through the motions required in a class by following syntax and rules but missed the big picture. Most knew they were fakers and stayed away from the tough stuff (probability, analysis). I'm guessing they took their math degrees and went on to be bad math teachers that prioritized method, process and punctuation.
Anyway, I was really surprised and impressed by island11s response because I think the syntax fixation is a serious problem in our math education today. Hate to see kids burned out by it.
Ps: yeah I also think its a waste of time to teach grammar. read awesome books and write convincing essays. Frik'n prepositions... wtf?