Name: A Mathematician's Lament
ISBN: 9781934137178

Paul Lockhart

A manifesto for freeing math from the drudgery of traditional teaching by a brilliant mathematician.

A Mathematician's Lament

Lockhart’s critique of modern mathematics education deeply resonates with me. He exposes how the subject has been reduced to rote memorization and mechanical procedures, stripping it of its creativity and beauty. I fully agree with his approach of allowing students to derive their own solutions and discover mathematical rules and laws based on the problems they are solving. This method would be excellent for introductory courses or non-math majors, fostering deeper engagement and appreciation.

However, for mathematics majors, such a system would only work if introduced rigorously and at an early age. That said, I believe everyone’s introduction to mathematics should mirror Lockhart’s vision. Structured discovery through carefully chosen problems, paired with a Socratic method of questioning, can make learning mathematics both intuitive and amusing.

Kris Yotam

Lockhart’s critique of modern mathematics education deeply resonates with me. He exposes how the subject has been reduced to rote memorization and mechanical procedures, stripping it of its creativity and beauty. I fully agree with his approach of allowing students to derive their own solutions and discover mathematical rules and laws based on the problems they are solving. This method would be excellent for introductory courses or non-math majors, fostering deeper engagement and appreciation.

However, for mathematics majors, such a system would only work if introduced rigorously and at an early age. That said, I believe everyone’s introduction to mathematics should mirror Lockhart’s vision. Structured discovery through carefully chosen problems, paired with a Socratic method of questioning, can make learning mathematics both intuitive and amusing.

Gavin

if I had to design a mechanism for the express purpose of destroying a child’s natural curiosity and love of pattern-making, I couldn’t possibly do as good a job as is currently being done— I simply wouldn’t have the imagination to come up with the kind of senseless, soul-crushing ideas that constitute contemporary mathematics education. 

Everyone knows that something is wrong. The politicians say, “we need higher standards.” The schools say, “we need more money and equipment.” Educators say one thing, and teachers say another. They are all wrong. The only people who understand what is going on are the ones most often blamed and least often heard: the students. They say, “math class is stupid and boring,” and they're right...



[Excerpt free here]

Donald

I love reading books that explain elegantly something I already agree with. The fun part about this one is that it applies to every subject taught in schools.

Fellow parents, homeschool your children!

A Mathematician's Lament

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