[Blindmath] intro

[qubit]

Hi -- let me enter another view if I may...
I also was a math major in school--my undergrad degree, and almost a 
masters, but I switched to computer science.
I have heard that a lot of people have math anxiety.
I think it is caused by a (sometimes slight) lack of preparation for a new 
topic, thus leading to excessive memorization rather than learning the how 
and why in order to solve a problem.
I think the best way to dispel math anxiety is to look at something in 
alternative ways until you find a way that you understand completely -- then 
try to see why the alternatives also work -- then eventually as you read the 
text book or lister to the professor, you will find yourself a step ahead, 
and that is exciting.  I also like to see how the pieces fit together -- it 
is elegant.  In fact that is why I majored in math -- in high school, my 
teachers all said "it has been proven in higher math that you can't trisect 
an angle using only a straight edge and compass".  I wanted to see why.  The 
answer came my second semester in abstract algebra.  Once I studied the 
proof and understood how it worked, I felt a feeling of accomplishment; and 
that's how I felt about most math classes -- except possibly statistics --  
That was the one branch of "math" that I hated.  You know the old saying, 
ask an engineer what time it is and he'll explain how the clock works; ask a 
mathematician and she'll graph the time t+h as h -> 0 ; ask a statistician 
what time it is and he ask "what time do you want it to be?"

Anyway, I just got a call from a local blind resource teacher for the 
district who may refer blind kids to me for tutoring. Since I had print 
vision when in school and don't know Nemeth well, what would people on list 
recommend I do to interest these kids in math?  What was the biggest problem 
you had in k12 learning math?

Happy figuring.
--le



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jamie Prater" <jdprater at bellsouth.net>
To: "Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics" 
<blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 1:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] intro


Hi, what is latex or whatever you call it?  I had a hard time with math in
elementary school and actually all through school but I'm willing to give it
another go.  I do admit to math anxiety though.  Thanks and have a blessed
day.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jose Tamayo" <jtblas at hotmail.com>
To: "'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'"
<blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindmath] intro


> the first suggestion I have for you is to begin embracing Math and putting
> the subject in a better perspective.  The next step is to do as you are
> doing just now; asking the questions of this group.  I just started my
> revival of Mathematics and have discovered that  love its elegance and
> will
> not stop.  Like you, I had little interest in Mathematics early on but I
> can't say I hated it.  I would like to think that it was not a requirement
> for me at the time.  Now it is a requirement and I just see it as such.
> There are many tools available and this wonderful group will have many
> things to say to the effect.
>
> I can speak about my experience with Math thus far and since I lost my
> sight.  It has been challenging and I decided one year ago that Nemeth
> Braille would be a necessity for many reasons.  Given that, you must
> consider several other options such as LaTeX which many here recommend as
> a
> basic necessity.
>
> I am sure this group can definitely add to my comments as I know such
> comments are mostly  personal perspective.  Your mindset  is more
> important
> than the tools.  If you learn to love Math, you will learn to figure out
> how
> to do it whether it is with LaTeX, Nemeth Code, and any other tool.
>
>
> I wish you well.
>
> regards
> Jose Tamayo
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On
> Behalf Of Jamie Prater
> Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 4:39 PM
> To: blindmath at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Blindmath] intro
>
> Hi, all, I've always had trouble with and hated math.  I never made it to
> college algebra but did remedial while at college.  I considered getting
> into the BEP program for vendors but decided not to for other reasons.
> While being evaluated for BEP, I learned that I had an eighth-grade math
> level.  Had I not reviewed some online and with friends, this score would
> have been lower.  I didn't find enough online resources.  I did enrole in
> Hadley's Nemeth code class but need more reinforcement as if I want to go
> to
> college this could be a problem as I forgot how to do high school math.  I
> am open to any suggestions to learning tools and such and I use jaws and
> braille.  Thanks and have a blessed day.
> _______________________________________________
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