Edumafication

[fadagaski]

It's always frustrating and embarrassing when it's made clear to one just how ignorant and/or uneducated one is. In my case, maths has always been my downfall. Complex equations are beyond me, and I'm okay with that.

However, what has been made apparent very recently is my lack of basic mathematical knowledge. I put this squarely on the shoulders of my school, for failing to provide adequate maths teachers for pretty much my entire tenure.

Today, I decided to practice speed/time/distance calculations at lunchtime (don't ask). First, I had to look up how to do this. Then, I had to look up how to multiply decimal places. When this proved too confusing, I had to look up simply long multiplication.

I'm not stupid. This isn't an inability to grasp basic maths. This is a lack of training, and no requirement for mental arithmetic in the modern world.

Plan of action: acquire a Key Stage 3 revision guide to work through the problems at lunchtime. I will not be held back by the failings of a special measures school 8 years past.


Fitness update: not good. Cycled for 25 minutes on Saturday morning, but have had a tonne of chocolate since then. Also had egg fried rice for lunch today. Oops.

I think this might be an easier endeavor out in California this summer. There will at least be a pool to swim in after work.

Comments

[fidgetknickers.livejournal.com]

I have the same problem, although I have it with more than just maths. I struggle with the differences between nouns, verbs, adjectives etc, and the annoying thing is, I KNOW the information, I just don't remember it correctly - I didn't grasp it immediately, my teachers did not help with that, and thus it's almost habit for me now to assume I DON'T know, even when I do.

Being one of the smartest kids at my school (which REALLY is not saying much XD) meant that I was expected to just absorb information and understand it instantly by the majority of my teachers. Nine times out of ten, they took out their frustration at my need for different explanations to the rest of the class by pushing me to one side - I can only ever remember one teacher responding to my 'I don't get it' by sitting down with me and asking what, and why, and helping me to figure it out myself. And I can still remember the huge smile on her face when I DID get it.

Best of luck with retraining yourself - I might follow your example and give it a go when I have spare time (so when I retire XD)

[jackks.livejournal.com]

The standards of maths taught across British schools is low compared to European standards. As someone who has gone from one educational system to the other I know this all too well.

[fadagaski.livejournal.com]

It amazes me how little we are taught here. When I went to Canada, one of the guys who had grown up in India until he was about 12 said he didn't have to learn any NEW math until he was a senior in high school. That? Is frightening.