Misconceptions in Math Education

This is worth a read.

The great misconception about mathematics -- and it stifles and thwarts more students than any other single thing -- is the notion that mathematics is about formulas and cranking out computations. It is the unconsciously held delusion that mathematics is a set of rules and formulas that have been worked out by God knows who for God knows why, and the student's duty is to memorize all this stuff. Such students seem to feel that sometime in the future their boss will walk into the office and demand "Quick, what's the quadratic formula?" Or, "Hurry, I need to know the derivative of 3x^2 - 6x +1." There are no such employers.

Mathematics is not about answers, it's about processes.

Apologies for My Absence

My apologies for over a month of silence from Athwart History: Mr. History has moved across the country and started a new job. So things are in some turmoil right now. But with any luck we will be back to regular posting soon!