implicit learning, verbal reasoning, and personality

This looks interesting:

Implicit learning as an ability.
Kaufman SB, Deyoung CG, Gray JR, Jiménez L, Brown J, Mackintosh N.
Cognition. 2010 Sep;116(3):321-40. Epub 2010 Jun 22.

Looks like math is more heavily dependent upon explicit learning than language --- which makes sense, given that language is innate and math isn't (or not so much, at any rate).

Yet more evidence that the K-12, constructivist preference for tacit or implicit learning as opposed to direct, focused, conscious learning is a very bad idea when it comes to math.

implicit learning

I re-took another Blue Book math test I'd taken some time ago. I again had no conscious memory of any of the problems, but did them all (save one) fast, finished early, and got everything right.

The problem I couldn't do was the last one in the set and thus the most difficult. My conscious thought was that I had no idea how to do it, a conclusion I arrived at after having in fact done the problem and finding that my answer wasn't amongst the choices. I left it blank.

After the timer rang and I had checked my answers, I went back to the last question.

Turned out my solution was right. It was my arithmetic that was wrong.

Not only do I not recognize the problems, it appears that I don't recognize the solutions, either, even a solution I have just written myself.

I'm going to re-read Arthur Reber, I think. One of my favorite books.

testing buttons

fiddling around with Blogger...

Education in Singapore -- the role of good teachers

I found an adorable video on the Singapore Ministry of Education's page. Blog post and video discussing the role of teachers in education is on Throwing Curves: Education in Singapore - the role of good teachers.

David Steiner resigns

Terrible news.

help desk - how many vertical angles

Here's a problem from The Art of Problem Solving Counting Introduction to Counting and Probability by David Patrick:

How many pairs of vertical angles are formed by five distinct lines that have a common point of intersection?

p. 64

Peter Meyer on the Forum

I am not alone

Be sure to read his March 30th post, too.

Gymnastics and Ed Reform -- something in common

Just wanted to let you know about a new post on Throwing Curves.

Parents and Coaches -- An interesting interaction.

You do not need to be particularly interested or knowledgeable about gymnastics to appreciate the similarities.

August Wren

Jennifer Orkin Lewis is doing the paintings for Perfect Score Project.

I love Jennifer's work. I have boxes of her stationery.
 

Perfect Score Project

It's here!

I've been having beaucoup fun with SAT math (not so much with SAT reading, which is TAXING).

I've just started re-taking the Blue Book math tests.

I don't consciously remember the questions, but I'm a hell of a lot faster -- I finish with time to spare -- and I get almost all of them right.

Which I think is interesting.

sick!

Sorry to have gone missing -- I was thinking the virus that waylaid the household was going to pass me by, but noooooooo.

Public schools have experienced "negative productivity"

Read more about it here at Education Quick Takes.

Connecticut May Make Changes to MBR

One of the more bizarre aspects of funding schools in Connecticut is the "Minimum Budget Requirement" -- a law that requires towns to budget AT LEAST as much for the schools as they did the year before, no exceptions. The penalty? For every $1 drop in spending, the State takes away $2 in town grants.

This year, a very small change to the MBR is being considered at the State legislature. It isn't enough, but it is a start.

Throwing Curves has a new blog post up on the changes to Connecticut's Minimum Budget Requirement - Small Changes to Town Education Budgets May Be Possible.