Math isn't hard, it's a language | Randy Palisoc | TEDxManhattanBeach

Key Concepts

• Math as a human language
• Dehumanized math education
• Fractions as a foundation for higher math
• Language approach to teaching math
• Multiplication fluency as a game changer
• Mathematical thinking for future innovation

The Problem: Low Math Proficiency in the U.S.

• Only 26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in math, according to the nation's report card.
• The speaker argues that this is unacceptable and that the U.S. needs to improve significantly.

The Root Cause: Dehumanized Math Education

• The speaker asserts that the primary reason for low math proficiency is that math is taught as a "dehumanized subject."
• Math, like English, Spanish, or Chinese, is a human language used for communication, trade, building, and measurement.
• Galileo: "The laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics."
• The current approach abstracts math "beyond recognition," leading to confusion.

Example: 3rd Grade Fraction Standard

• The speaker provides an example of a 3rd-grade California math standard on fractions: "Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts. Understand the fraction a/b as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b."
• This standard, while making sense to math experts, is confusing and torturous for children.
• Fractions are foundational to algebra, trigonometry, and calculus, so a lack of understanding at this stage creates significant challenges later on.

The Solution: A Language-Based Approach

• The speaker advocates for teaching math as a language to make it more intuitive and accessible.
• Apples + Apples Lesson:
  • Start with simple examples like "1 apple + 1 apple = 2 apples."
  • Emphasize including the words (e.g., "apples") to reinforce the language aspect.
  • Extends to "3 pencils + 2 pencils = 5 pencils."
• Example with Niece:
  • The speaker's 5-year-old niece could answer "4 billion + 1 billion = 5 billion" and "one third plus one third = 2 thirds" by using the "apples + apples" analogy.
  • She wasn't thinking about numerators and denominators but rather using the language-based analogy.
  • Also, the niece was able to answer "What's 7 x² plus 2 x²?" correctly with "9 x²"

Multiplication Fluency as a Game Changer

• The speaker shares an example of a high-school student struggling with algebra due to a lack of multiplication fact fluency (only knowing 44%).
• This is compared to "trying to read and only knowing 44% of the alphabet."
• The student systematically learned her times tables in 4 weeks.
• Language in Multiplication:
  • "7 times 3" can be understood as "3 seven times," which is repeated addition.
  • Understanding this helps students realize the efficiency of memorizing multiplication facts.
• Impact:
  • The student could then focus on problem-solving instead of counting on her fingers.
  • She was able to calculate the cost of a car lease and recognize it as expensive.
  • Math became a tool for solving real-world problems.

The Challenge and Call to Action

• The speaker challenges the audience to help raise the national math proficiency rate above 26%.
• Mathematical thinking is essential for building young minds and imagining a future that doesn't yet exist.
• The solution is as simple as "apples + apples": insist on teaching math as a human language.

Conclusion

The speaker argues that the low math proficiency in the U.S. stems from teaching math as an abstract and dehumanized subject. By reframing math as a human language and using intuitive, language-based approaches like the "apples + apples" analogy, educators can make math more accessible and understandable for students of all ages. Fluency in foundational skills like multiplication is also crucial for building confidence and enabling students to apply math to real-world problem-solving. The speaker concludes with a call to action, urging the audience to advocate for a language-based approach to math education to improve national proficiency and empower students to build a better future.