The Peoples Forum: Life's Outtakes: What Students Learned In Math Class
The Peoples Forum
Life's Outtakes: What Students Learned In Math Class
By Daris Howard
Over the years, we have found that one of the students' greatest criticisms of any math class is their claims that they didn't learn anything. I, therefore, as part of their final, have the students list ten things they learned. These things could be anything at all in relation to the class. They are allowed to write their list ahead of time and bring them to the final if they want. Most observations are quite normal, but some make for interesting reading. Here are some of the classics for this year from my Math In The Real World class, spelling errors included.
1. I learned that I hate story problems. Of course, I actually always knew that, so maybe I didn't learn it after all.
2. I learned that I can't treat a college math class like I treated my high school math class. At least I can't if I want to pass.
3. I learned not to date guys I sit by named Adam. I tried two different ones on two different semesters, and neither one worked out.
4. I learned not to date the girl sitting next to me in math class. (His name was Adam. See #3.)
5. I learned about scientific notation. I felt this was important. I don't know why, because I'll probably never see it again.
6. I learned how taxes are done. I think I'll pay someone else to do them for me from now on.
7. I learned that I don't want to marry a girl that uses a credit card.
8. I learned FICA will probably not provide a living when I retire, so I might move to another country when I do
.9. I learned all about stocks, and I don't plan to invest in them.
10. I've learned to question everything and not trust anything.
11. I learned that many things like birthdays don't follow theoretical probability, but instead occur in patterns. Maybe the cold weather in the north in the winter is why there are a lot of babies born in September and October. They are 9 months after December and January.
12. I learned that I do better in a class that starts at 9:00 than I do in a class that starts at 7:45 in the morning. Maybe it is because I make it to class.
13. I learned that there are lots of close-minded people who annoy me.
14. I learned that some of the buttons on the calculator, that I thought were decorative, really do have a purpose.
15. I learned the national debt is so big that I don't feel that bad about mine anymore.
16. I learned how depressing it is the way the government spends our money.
17. I learned too late that there is a math lab with tutors to help us. I know you told us, but I didn't take you seriously.
18. I learned that sometimes math makes you mad, and you need to just set it aside while you cool down.
19. I learned there are some real cute math tutors at the math lab, but I don't get much studying done when I go there.
20. Most of the guys on campus you think are hot end up already being married.
21. The library isn't really a scary place like I thought, and is actually a good place to study.
22. I lernt math tex are hard to reed. Thats prollaly why I dont do wll.
23. I learned that I need a 3.5 GPA to go into nursing. I think I will go into law enforcement.
I learned people can add and stuff without a calculator. The older a person is the better they are because they were around before calculators were invented. Our teacher is better than anyone at this.
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