[ExI] algebra

[William Flynn Wallace]

He did mention that most of his children were disabled, but just how he
didn't say.  Doing things backwards can work for some dyslexics. (DAM -
Mothers against dyslexia)  But what does this have to do with algebra?
Spike is puzzled as well.   bil w

On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 2:00 PM Adrian Tymes via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> The person is describing an alternate method of handling a sum that that
> person's daughter was better able to understand.
>
> While the existence of people who can handle a sum backward but not
> forward is questionable, the underlying message is true enough: there are
> many ways of solving the same problem, so if a student doesn't understand
> one method, having the student try other methods might be useful.
>
> On Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 11:26 AM William Flynn Wallace via extropy-chat <
> extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:
>
>> Can anyone figure out what this guy is saying?    bill w
>>
>> my daughter.
>>
>> She was excluded from school, long story, and having home tutoring. Said
>> tutor was trying to teach my daughter all about algebra. For 7 months, I
>> watched the tutor struggle to make sense enough for my daughter to grasp
>> the concept.
>>
>> I got a bit worried when the tutor started yelling at my daughter. So, I
>> asked if I could try. She let me have a go, as she smugly stepped aside and
>> said that if she couldn't, with her specialist knowledge, I sure as hell
>> couldn't do any better, but as time was wasting, go ahead.
>>
>> *First thing I said to my daughter was…. Do the sum backwards. If it
>> shows plus, you minus, and if it shows division, you multiply. So, start
>> with what you know, and work backwards.*
>>
>> Daughter got it in an instant!! Tutor tests her with more complex
>> equations, daughter got it right! Tutor spen over an hour testing her, and
>> finally had to agree that my rather daft method, although it went against
>> all her teaching, actually worked!!
>>
>> Tutor asked me how I knew this. Just told her that that is how I do it?
>> She asked if she could use it to teach others. I said of course she could,
>> I don't own the method!!
>>
>> We later had a chat and I said that because 7 of my 8 kids had
>> disabilities and additional needs, I had had to be creative about how each
>> child learned. And that if they aren't learning, I'm not teaching them
>> right. She thanked me and actually became a much nicer tutor after that. I
>> guess I opened her eyes a little.
>>
>> There are no bad students, only bad teachers!!
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