Nice people thread part 6 - thrice by twice as nice :)

dinofabio

My children learned to add figures up in straight line at primary school:

eg 27+33+12=

When I was at school ( along time ago!) this was a big no-no.

---

When they started high school they reverted to the traditional way, figures stacked on top of each other:

27
+33
+12

Can someone explain the thinking behind using the first method? I'm not saying it's wrong, I just never understood the reason why.

kabayiri

silvercar wrote: »

I'm tempted to comment that a D years ago would probably get you a C or even a B today, certainly compared to the 70s and 80s, but an A* is certainly an accomplishment.

I think you can compare grades amongst your peer group; same year or so. I don't think comparing grades between different generations holds much validity. Too much has changed in teaching methods ; information sources like the internet ; and moreover government education goals!

Generali

MiddyMum wrote: »

So, I just reel off the elements and leave people shocked and for just that moment I feel intelligent lol.

Do you include the new ones like copernicium? It must take quite a while if you do!

Am feeling quite pleased with myself today: I cycled home from work and I went for a lunchtime swim here:



This is just the local pool to work, it's about $5/swim if you get a 'carnet'.

One of the things I love about Sydney is the sports facilities: Within 20-odd minutes walk of work there are 3 public 50m pools including a spectacular outdoor one:



That's the furthest one from me unfortunately as it'd be great for my lunchtime swim. It has a reputation as a gay pickup joint which I think is unfair, although perhaps it's just that Sydney's gay men don't go for balding middle aged swimmers. I can't think why.

It's Mrs Generali's degree ceremony tomorrow. As a 3(ahem) year old mother of 2 she has really been doing it tough to get there, and did particularly well to get a credit average (the equivalent of a solid upper second).

In other random thoughts, I discovered this weekend that Australia's birds include 2 called the superb and the splendid fairy-wren. What great names! They're really pretty too.

kabayiri

dinofabio wrote: »

My children learned to add figures up in straight line at primary school:

eg 27+33+12=

When I was at school ( along time ago!) this was a big no-no.

---

When they started high school they reverted to the traditional way, figures stacked on top of each other:

27
+33
+12

Can someone explain the thinking behind using the first method? I'm not saying it's wrong, I just never understood the reason why.

There is this flawed idea that everyone thinks the same way. They just don't. The way our brains develop when young mean there is tremendous potential for variation.

We should put far more effort into assessing pupil learning capability. You can tell from PNs' comments that certain teaching methods will probably never work for her; it would seem a waste to just keep pushing the same stuff 'hoping some will stick'.

PasturesNew

kabayiri wrote: »

you can tell from pns' comments that certain teaching methods will probably never work for her;

i haz speshulz

dinofabio

Generali wrote: »

Do you include the new ones like copernicium? It must take quite a while if you do!

Am feeling quite pleased with myself today: I cycled home from work and I went for a lunchtime swim here:



This is just the local pool to work, it's about $5/swim if you get a 'carnet'.

.

That's is a fantastic looking pool. Love the design

PasturesNew

We have hardly any 50m pools in the UK. As high level competitions are done in 50m pools this puts a lot of swimmers at a disadvantage if the only time they ever see one is in a major contest. If you always train in a 25m pool, it's a completely different dynamic to swimming in a 50m pool, also your "senses" of when you must be near the end are all shot ... ferkin' up your tumble turns.

silvercar

I've been offered a trip to Oz. OH has to go there on business and suggested he extends his trip and I come with. I really, really don't like long flights and the thought of a 22 hour flight with a change is enough to put me off. Everyone is saying that it is stupid to say no. His work would pay most of the accommodation costs and his flight and his expenses, so we would "only" have to pay for my flight and some expenses.

This isn't the chance of a lifetime as OH goes once a year, but it is an opportunity. There are currently no big reasons to say no like there were last year but I'm not jumping with joy.

hjd

dinofabio wrote: »

That's is a fantastic looking pool. Love the design

But a real pain for backstroke swimmers...

MiddyMum

I only know 105 of them, I understand many more have been added since I memorised them at 13.

The rain and wind is so bad down here today..got to think of things to entertain my two year old now, as park is a no-go today.