[Edu-sig] Confused how teach geometry and importance of teaching geometry in 21st century.

[Richard Enbody]

Another thing to consider is that there is a lot of different math: 
algebra and geometry are quite different and someone being good at one 
might not be good at the other.  As a former high school math teacher 
and one who saw his kids recently go through high school, I believe that 
many geometry courses these days deemphasize the logical part of 
geometry in favor of a more computational form.  Development of proofs 
is useful for reasoning skills, beyond simple logic.  Finally, geometry 
is useful for learning about the world.  My $0.02

-rich
enbody at cse.msu.edu

chris at seberino.org wrote:
> I'm teaching high school math to homeschoolers and I'm looking for how to make
> geometry year meaningful.
>
> I'm having a "crisis of confidence" because from my viewpoint, algebra was 10x
> more useful for future math and science work.
>
> The only thing I can remember that was useful from geometry was a few volume
> and area formulas.  That can justify maybe a month but not a whole YEAR of
> geometry!?!?
>
> cs
>
> P.S. Yes yes I know that geometry is meant to teach logical reasoning.  Maybe
> one can get that from chess, debate club and other activities as well if
> not better?  People also say geometry is where you learn proofs.  Couldn't
> proofs be just as easily emphasized in all the other math classes?
>
> --
> _______________________________________
>
> Christian Seberino, Ph.D.
> Email: chris at seberino.org
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