Friday, January 11, 2013

Remembering how it used to be.


Teaching Millennial Math

I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took
my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my
pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3
pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her
discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she
hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction
to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this? Because of
the evolution in teaching math since the 1960s:

1. Teaching Math In 1960s(when I was in school)
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit ?

2. Teaching Math In 1970s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

3. Teaching Math In 1980s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is $80. Did he make a profit ? Yes or No

4. Teaching Math In 1990s
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production
is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number
20.

5. Teaching Math In 2000s
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and
inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the
preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of
$20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class
participation after answering the question: How did the birds and
squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong
answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok).

6. Teaching Math In 2010
Un hachero vende una carretada de maderapara $100. El costo de la
producciones es $80. Cuanto dinero ha hecho?

ANSWER: His profit was $375,000 because his logging business is just a
front for his pot farm. Grin

10 comments:

Toad said...

TIMT, I am fairly certain you won't get too many reply's to your post, but I will be more than happy to.

First of all, It's sad that the person didn't know how to handle the transaction, and became frustrated to tears because of this issue.

I will however tell you, that this person was actually working a job somewhere, NOT sitting at home, or otherwise. Perhaps she has children to support? I certainly don't know, but It certainly Is nothing to make light of.

Education Is important, and of course not everyone Is as proficient at It as others. Be VERY happy you don't have this problem, and you are driven to tears because of your lack of knowledge.

OrbsCorbs said...

Very few checkout clerks today can make change without the register. I can do it in my head, but, truthfully, when I balance the checkbook or whatever, I use a calculator.

I bemoan the downward spiral in education and skills of many people today. I wait in long checkout lines because of incompetence on both sides of the register. Some people truly do not know how to function in society.

OKIE said...

My biggest fear for the coming generations is spelling. Yes I have a problem with grammer/spelling as well but can you imagine in a few years what will happen.

How r u tday. Want 2 go out?

Yikes. I think KK will attest to the fact that kids no longer fear their teachers. People say all the madness is happening because we took God out of schools. I don't remember God really being in Mitchell or Park unless of course a test was going on.
Personally I think we've taken fear out of our kids lives and that is not such a good thing.

drewzepmeister said...

The excitement as well. Mary. Tender Heart and I once took my son to Horicon to do some birding. While Tender Heart and I were gazing out the windows out the flocks of ducks, pelicans, cranes and egrets, my son was yakking and texting away on his cell phone. I wanted to chuck the phone into the marsh! (I yelled at him...)

This my folks, is our future generation... sad huh?

OrbsCorbs said...

Sis is a retired teacher. She used to call out the manager of the produce section (or wherever) if she saw a misspelled sign. Maybe she still does... She did it once when I was with her and I pretended not to be with her.

Why Not? said...

I used to work as a cashier when I was in high school.. I would figure out the change in my head and then look at the register to make sure I was right.. I guess education is what you make of it.. If you feel it is important then you will try hard.. I think many now a days do not understand why they should have to get an education.. maybe because we have computers that do everything for us. Tells us when we have misspelled something, when our grammar may be incorrect, solves our math problems and many other things that were a part of basic education before. We rely on the computer to fix everything. There is no reason to learn how a library works when you have google and wikipedia (although not valid resources really). The challenge for the newer generation is to get them to understand why certain basic skills are important.. It's hard though because I know many who are college educated who still end up working jobs that do not use their skills.. Why try hard when you just end up at the bottom of the pile anyways is what many end up feeling.. Hope for the future, teaching of work ethics and a way to integrate old school basic education in todays technological world..

Maybe some shows on TV that show what hard work can bring instead of watching 16 and pregnant or Jersey Shore.. We have had too much TV that highlights the bad, let us highlight the good and motivated..

kkdither said...

The problems in education start in the home. Problems from society clog the system. Schools are overwhelmed with behavior issues, children with so many needs and a lack of want or reason to learn. Teachers on the most part go above and beyond to teach. The disconnect happens in things that are outside the classroom.

Do you know that many kids can not even read an analog clock? Parents need to step up. Parents need to talk to their kids. Parents need to provide and parent.

Toad said...

I guess I just had a sad moment for the cashier. I never use change In this manner, because It confuses lots of people, and to be honest drives me nuts, when I have to wait In a line for a person to dig In their coin purse for the change. Again I just had a feel sorry moment for the girl. I hope TimT49 doesn't take It too bad.

Timt49 said...

I'm not taking anything at all, the punch line should be telling you it's a joke....I took it as it was intended.

OrbsCorbs said...

What is it with the people checking out who look surprised when their total is announced? Only then do they start looking for their wallets or purses. What? You thought maybe someone else was going to pay it?