Mr. Reimer's
"When are we ever going to use this stuff"
Jobs that Use Math
The below is my actual response to the Viking Voice quote of an education major.
I was dismayed reading the article “Do computers spell calamity for the English language?” that quoted an ex-Vernon graduate who is an education major. She said “… I mean, you’re probably never going to use the algebra you learned in high school, but…”. It is sad that this graduate still doesn’t see the interaction of high school math and the world outside the classroom. Sadder still is that she may pass this ignorance to future students.
I look at what we learn in high school, and later in college, as a collection of tools and skills that we may use later in life. Times are changing so quickly that no one can honestly know what skills and knowledge will be needed in ten years. What was specifically of use to your parents may not be the same things that will be most useful to you.
An intelligent approach is to get a wide variety of skills, tools and knowledge. Generically, Math tools help us solve problems; History tools help us repeat the best and avoid problems made by past generations; English tools help us communicate; Science tools help us understand the way the world really works; and Physical Education tools help us stay healthy and vigorous. Of course this is just a sampling, and tools from each subject provide us with many additional benefits.
I am ashamed that a future teacher does not recognize this. It would take a tome to list all possible uses of high school math, but here are just a few Algebra applications I have used recently: finding an erroneous entry when balancing my checkbook, deciding whether to buy or lease a car, deciding how much money to need to save to buy that car, determining which investments are most beneficial, predicting how much money I will owe in taxes (to avoid paying a penalty or giving the government an “interest free loan”), altering cooking recipes using proportions, deciding how many plants to purchase for my garden, reality checking claims by politicians, and not overpaying for purchases.
By understanding High School Math one is able to learn even more about our interests, hobbies, and major social issues. Math provides a key from Astronomy, nature’s relationships and global warming; to sound writing, persuasive arguments and forms of poetry; to the economy, politics and Sociology; to art, music and architecture; to auto engines, gps devises and video games.
Of course it is possible to remain ignorant, spend more than you have to, be fooled or lied to by others, and limit one’s own potential. Few really want that for themselves. And none of the teachers at Vernon want that for you, our students.
