Statistical analyses are the tests of the various problems of statistics, or the field that records and defines the occurrence of events within a group or population. The study of statistics was an offshoot of the probability theory that was postulated by Blas
Often times I hear my students asking: “Can I use a calculator?” My invariable answer is “No”, and now that I think about it, it is because the traditional teaching philosophy indicates that you don’t need a calculator when you have to compute an integral. Also, as teachers, we use to assume immediately that it’s all about “mental laziness”.
Well, I must admit that times have changed, and it seems it is now the right time to be in tune with the wonders that science and technology have to offer. The advent of immensely powerful Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) is giving us more and more reasons to switch out teaching styles to a new paradigm, where the ideas are presented together with real visual computer-generated representations, and where the emphasis is put on the concepts rather than the symbolic manipulation.
For example, in a typical first year college Calculus class, it takes a great deal of effort to go over a series of techniques that help the students to understand integration. Those techniques are clearly mechanical and repetitive, but yet students have a hard time understanding the main ideas. Nowadays, software like Mathematica and others are capable to solve symbolically some very complicated integrals, which go way beyond what an accomplished first year calculus student can do.
Shouldn’t we make an emphasis on the concepts rather than on the calculations? In mathematics, it is hard to separate because the two go tightly together. But I certainly believe that we would benefit by introducing systematically the use of CAS in the classroom. There’s a trend in most of the colleges to introduce computer assignments, as a part of the curricula, but from my experience, students are not getting most of it. They still don’t see the computer as a friendly ally at the time of learning math. But yet, they would gladly settle for a calculator.
The future of CAS should also include a way to use all this “intelligence” used to solve complicated problems to also being able to “explain” how to arrive to the answer.
When you or your child needs math help, it’s sometimes hard to know where to turn. Schools have limited resources for helping students with mathematics, and tutors can be incredibly expensive. Thankfully, the Internet has made it possible for students of all ages to receive innovative and affordable math lessons. Using video lessons that are interactive and cost-effective, students can essentially receive one-on-one instruction while working through problems at their own pace. Here are some circumstances in which online math help can be effective.
Remediation
Math is one of those subjects that requires a solid foundation, since concepts build one atop the other as a student progresses. In the absence of basic math skills - such as how to multiply a fraction or how to express an exponent - it’s impossible to move on to algebra, polynomials, or logarithms. Middle school or high school students often need practice with and reinforcement of basic math skills in order to move forward into grade level appropriate mathematics classes. Online video lessons can help with pre-algebra skills that are necessary to succeed in algebra courses.
Acceleration
Unfortunately, because the No Child Left Behind Act focuses on moving low-performing students toward proficiency, schools are forced to concentrate heavily on remediation. As a result, students who are accelerated in math are often not given the opportunity to do so. They may be ready for trig or perms and combs, but are instead forced to work at the pace of the rest of their classmates. This can result in frustration and boredom, as well as in the student never reaching his or her potential. With online video math help, accelerated students can move through lessons at their own pace, and experience the satisfaction of exploring their capabilities to the fullest.
Home Schooling
Although there is wonderful curriculum for students who are home schooled, parents are often not well equipped to teach their children middle school or high school mathematics. After all, when it’s been years since you’ve been exposed to the material, it’s very easy to forget. Video math lessons can help fill in the teaching gaps for homeschoolers, while allowing students to learn at their own pace.
Tuning Up Math Skills
There are many times when a person might need a math tune-up. Perhaps college entrance exams are coming up, or maybe it’s time to sit for a professional certification test. Being able to watch math tutorials and work through problems can shore up confidence and help develop even advance math skills.
What to Look For
When you decide that you want to take advantage of Internet-based math help, you should look for those designed by a certified teacher who has extensive experience teaching math and tutoring students. Look for lessons that are downloadable, and that you can view over and over again at no additional charge. Each lesson should cost less than ten dollars, and the videos should contain all of the information you need to understand the lesson. In other words, you should have to buy any textbooks.
Thanks to the Internet, it’s never been easier to get math help when you need it.
When you or your child needs math help, it’s sometimes hard to know where to turn. Schools have limited resources for helping students with mathematics, and tutors can be incredibly expensive. Thankfully, the Internet has made it possible for students of all ages to receive innovative and affordable math lessons. Using video lessons that are interactive and cost-effective, students can essentially receive one-on-one instruction while working through problems at their own pace. Here are some circumstances in which online math help can be effective.
Remediation
Math is one of those subjects that requires a solid foundation, since concepts build one atop the other as a student progresses. In the absence of basic math skills - such as how to multiply a fraction or how to express an exponent - it’s impossible to move on to algebra, polynomials, or logarithms. Middle school or high school students often need practice with and reinforcement of basic math skills in order to move forward into grade level appropriate mathematics classes. Online video lessons can help with pre-algebra skills that are necessary to succeed in algebra courses.
Acceleration
Unfortunately, because the No Child Left Behind Act focuses on moving low-performing students toward proficiency, schools are forced to concentrate heavily on remediation. As a result, students who are accelerated in math are often not given the opportunity to do so. They may be ready for trig or perms and combs, but are instead forced to work at the pace of the rest of their classmates. This can result in frustration and boredom, as well as in the student never reaching his or her potential. With online video math help, accelerated students can move through lessons at their own pace, and experience the satisfaction of exploring their capabilities to the fullest.
Home Schooling
Although there is wonderful curriculum for students who are home schooled, parents are often not well equipped to teach their children middle school or high school mathematics. After all, when it’s been years since you’ve been exposed to the material, it’s very easy to forget. Video math lessons can help fill in the teaching gaps for homeschoolers, while allowing students to learn at their own pace.
Tuning Up Math Skills
There are many times when a person might need a math tune-up. Perhaps college entrance exams are coming up, or maybe it’s time to sit for a professional certification test. Being able to watch math tutorials and work through problems can shore up confidence and help develop even advance math skills.
What to Look For
When you decide that you want to take advantage of Internet-based math help, you should look for those designed by a certified teacher who has extensive experience teaching math and tutoring students. Look for lessons that are downloadable, and that you can view over and over again at no additional charge. Each lesson should cost less than ten dollars, and the videos should contain all of the information you need to understand the lesson. In other words, you should have to buy any textbooks.
Thanks to the Internet, it’s never been easier to get math help when you need it.