OT: OT thread number 11 | No More Bad News PLEASE!

[Drivesaitl]

Most students who struggle with Calculus don't actually struggle with the concepts in Calculus itself, they struggle with algebra. At its core Calculus is actually pretty simple conceptually. If a kid knows how to do a little basic algebra and knows how to find the slope of a line, I can teach them enough Calculus to pass any basic first year class regardless of their background. MATH 31 for example is actually significantly easier conceptually than MATH 30 which has a variety of topics that one could argue are more complex than anything in MATH 31.

As far as the article you posted is concerned, there is some accuracy to it and some stuff that is pretty easy to debunk. I have no issue with a more spiraled curriculum. But one also has to ask...what achievement are we trying to measure and when do we stop trying to measure it. The US for example does very poorly on many of these tests. But they also have the best top end mathematics students in the world. The only country that is close is China. As I have previously said other countries that tend to do very well on such tests perform poorly in terms of producing mathematically sophisticated people, the real problem solvers so to speak.

What I personally believe we need is balance. When the pendulum has swung far in the direction suggested by the article you quote teh result is often equally as disastrous.


Lots of people are not good at math. Far fewer need be.

Jaime Escalante - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Absolutely. I hated Algebra. Could not understand it and developed mental blocks around it. Symbols confounded me. To this day. That and more complex geometry alienated me towards math. By Trigonometry I was tapping out. I did manage to get through Math 30 but not easy by any means and I had to amp my % to passing grade by basically aceing the units that I did know due to being flummoxed by the parts I never mastered.

So for sure if there are limitations in Algebra, Trigonometry it precludes doing well in Calculus. But its because Algebra in the first case, the notation, its greek to me. It may as well be hieroglyphics.

 

[Drivesaitl]

Apparently these audio books are screamers. For the vision and hearing impaired.

 

[nabob]

not the OOT thread lol.

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

I heard the Leafs are interested.

 

[harpoon]

Heard today that ‘the Captain Ethan Moreau’ is doing a three day hockey camp for Jr/Sr High kids in Tokyo next month. That seems kinda random.

 

[Stoneman89]

Heard today that ‘the Captain Ethan Moreau’ is doing a three day hockey camp for Jr/Sr High kids in Tokyo next month. That seems kinda random.

Hopefully he doesn't take the kids out for pizza so they can learn his "dine and dash trick."

 

[Ritchie Valens]

I learned today my credit card got breached somewhere and it was used to purchase $600 in airline tickets in Montreal a few days ago. I went to use it and it was declined...looked up online banking on the spot and seen there was also a 1 cent charge in Las Vegas, which was then refunded. I'm presuming that's when RBC locked the card. I get to wait for hours on end waiting for their security and fraud dept to call back.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

@booyakasha What's their problem? If you can verify/prove it's fraud they usually don't argue it too much.

 

[booyakasha]

@booyakasha What's their problem? If you can verify/prove it's fraud they usually don't argue it too much.

they think she had a part in it, as there were small cash advances over a 3 week period....like $50 here, $75, and so forth.
It's not a lot of money (like $550 total), but they think she was privy to the transactions....she's eastern European and doesn't understand much, so when she handed me her statement, I asked about these transfers.....
she was shocked.
Visa, obviously curious as to why she brought it up so late, like weeks after the fact.

 

[Ritchie Valens]

they think she had a part in it, as there were small cash advances over a 3 week period....like $50 here, $75, and so forth.
It's not a lot of money (like $550 total), but they think she was privy to the transactions....she's eastern European and doesn't understand much, so when she handed me her statement, I asked about these transfers.....
she was shocked.
Visa, obviously curious as to why she brought it up so late, like weeks after the fact.

Well if the cash withdrawals were made in another city or country, you'd think that would be enough to settle it. I feel bad for your mom especially when she has trouble understanding. $550 is like $10,000 to alot of people, like my family.

f***ing scammers.

 

[BlackDogg]

I learned today my credit card got breached somewhere and it was used to purchase $600 in airline tickets in Montreal a few days ago. I went to use it and it was declined...looked up online banking on the spot and seen there was also a 1 cent charge in Las Vegas, which was then refunded. I'm presuming that's when RBC locked the card. I get to wait for hours on end waiting for their security and fraud dept to call back.

That sucks. A week ago, I looked at my online transactions for my main cc and noticed a charge for Elsevier, which I recognized for online journals, papers etc. but could not recall ordering anything from them. So I called the card company right away and said it had to be illegitimate and needed to cancel that pending transaction. Which they do right away, but the other thing is they have to also cancel the card and send you a new one.

The next day I get the invoice from them for the transaction, which I did kind of recognize from a year earlier when I ordered a reference book and nothing came back for information. So I assumed it never went through. I still wouldn't have minded the book, which was $226, and they've since shipped it. But eventually they will get notice that the cc charge was declined. Idiots. Maybe say the book isn't available for some time, or some kind of response, or even send the invoice before charging the card.

The thing that sucks the most is changing cards on all the monthly payments etc. and on autofill forms.

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[Stoneman89]

That sucks. A week ago, I looked at my online transactions for my main cc and noticed a charge for Elsevier, which I recognized for online journals, papers etc. but could not recall ordering anything from them. So I called the card company right away and said it had to be illegitimate and needed to cancel that pending transaction. Which they do right away, but the other thing is they have to also cancel the card and send you a new one.

The next day I get the invoice from them for the transaction, which I did kind of recognize from a year earlier when I ordered a reference book and nothing came back for information. So I assumed it never went through. I still wouldn't have minded the book, which was $226, and they've since shipped it. But eventually they will get notice that the cc charge was declined. Idiots. Maybe say the book isn't available for some time, or some kind of response, or even send the invoice before charging the card.

The thing that sucks the most is changing cards on all the monthly payments etc. and on autofill forms.

My daughter gave me a couple tips a while back which I have used and have worked pretty well. She said to make sure I had the automatic charge notice on my phone whenever the card is used. This alerts me immediately as to what is being charged, and I am able to take action very quickly if needed.

Another thing she suggested is to get a separate "purchase credit card" that is only used for buying stuff, mostly on-line. You keep your "main card" for the regular monthly payments and you don't need to change anything on those places if the purchase card gets compromised.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

My daughter gave me a couple tips a while back which I have used and have worked pretty well. She said to make sure I had the automatic charge notice on my phone whenever the card is used. This alerts me immediately as to what is being charged, and I am able to take action very quickly if needed.

Another thing she suggested is to get a separate "purchase credit card" that is only used for buying stuff, mostly on-line. You keep your "main card" for the regular monthly payments and you don't need to change anything on those places if the purchase card gets compromised.

She sounds like a very bright gal!

 

[Stoneman89]

She sounds like a very bright gal!

Gets it from her mom.

My high point is that I'm a good listener and learner.

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[bellagiobob]

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

I started my LRT costume but never finished it.

 

[TB12]

Lauren’s awesome. She’s the one who did the “Nathan Fillion Civilian Pavilion” a few years back lol

 

[Stoneman89]

Lauren’s awesome. She’s the one who did the “Nathan Fillion Civilian Pavilion” a few years back lol

I recall they had a lot of signatures for that - definitely should have named it that. Or "Silly Hall."

 

[bellagiobob]

Lol

 

[McDreamy]

My new-ish car suddenly broke down in a really awful spot on Stony Plain Road today. The road was down to one lane due to construction, so there was no room for anyone to get around me. It was an awful situation, but holy shit some people in this city are terrible. Yelling at me, giving me the finger, you name it. Finally, a really nice woman helped push me ahead into a parking lot that was just off the road. I was super appreciative.

Be nice folks. I couldn't believe how terrible some passerby's were. It's not like I wanted to break down and f*** traffic up.