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Maths?

TheCatWoman

Are we Brits genetically bad at maths, poorly taught or what? It seems so many of us ND and NT really struggle with it and have done for years, so much so that it almost seems to be a point of national pride that we're collectively so bad at it.

All I know is that I'm terrible at it and couldn't pass a GCSE grade 3, even with special tutoring, it meant I failed my access course, luckily it didn't stop me going to uni because I didn't need maths for history. What makes it even worse is I seem unable to use a calculator either, I can put the same numbers in 3 times and get 3 different answers.

Parents

  • Are we bad at maths? Pass rate for GCSE at 16 is around 70%, so most are ok at maths, good enough.

    We have an anti-knowledge culture in this country - so long as that knowledge is academically acquired. E.g. Maths in popular culture is presented as boring, inaccessible, the preserve of intellectuals - it's not cool in other words. 

    I'm not convinced that these perceptions reflect reality. 

  • in reply to Pegg

    I agree that many people in this country have a thing about being anti-intellectual and if you come from a working class back ground, people will treat you differently and even go as far as to bully you for being educated.

    Is maths a subject thats enjoyed or endured at A level? Do people do it so as they can get to the university of thier choice, or do they do it because they enjoy it or because it will be useful in the course they're doing.?

    When there was a swap between maths teachers between here and China, where they traditionally do very well at maths, the Chinese teachers said they thought we taught to widely and not deeply enough.

Reply
  • in reply to Pegg

    I agree that many people in this country have a thing about being anti-intellectual and if you come from a working class back ground, people will treat you differently and even go as far as to bully you for being educated.

    Is maths a subject thats enjoyed or endured at A level? Do people do it so as they can get to the university of thier choice, or do they do it because they enjoy it or because it will be useful in the course they're doing.?

    When there was a swap between maths teachers between here and China, where they traditionally do very well at maths, the Chinese teachers said they thought we taught to widely and not deeply enough.

Children
  • in reply to TheCatWoman
    TheCatWoman said:
    Is maths a subject thats enjoyed or endured at A level? Do people do it so as they can get to the university of thier choice, or do they do it because they enjoy it or because it will be useful in the course they're doing.?

    Both I think. Yes, it's a strategic choice for some career aspirations, but equally, there are always students that just love it.