MetaTalk

I remember reading a post some years ago (2-5?) about a math enrichment program for kids. The idea was to teach an intuition and sense of puzzle-solving/wonder around math rather than rote learning. I seem to recall an example being asking kids how they would find the area of a triangle rather than just teaching them how. There was a metaphor about how the way we teach math is akin to teaching music by making kids learn all about scales before letting them hear a single song. Anyone know/remember what this math program was?
posted by If only I had a penguin... on May 7, 2018 - 7 comments

I don't want to single out a specific recent post, because my pedantic complaint is so not relevant and would harmfully distract from the discussion, but I have a request, my fellow Mefites: [more inside]
posted by eviemath on Dec 1, 2015 - 218 comments

Looking for some advice given by commenters on MetaFilter (pretty sure it was the blue) about maths teaching. The advice wasn't specifically requested itself, just a response to the subject of the post—presumably maths education related somehow, though I've searched through a bunch of threads and haven't found them. Perhaps someone has the comments favourited and will know what I'm referring to. [more inside]
posted by Quilford on Dec 28, 2014 - 11 comments

This episode of the podcast was recorded on July 7th and features Jessamyn, cortex, and me going through the best of the last 30 days of the site, and the whole thing runs about 1hr 35min long. [more inside]
posted by mathowie on Jul 8, 2014 - 37 comments

I seem to recall a MetaFilter post (or comment in a related post?) that was about the historical debate over several mathematical issues, including a) whether 1 should be considered a number, and b) whether 1 is prime or composite. I searched for it, but can't find it. I recall there being a link to an academic paper about this topic, which is what I really want to find. Does anyone remember this? [more inside]
posted by Philosopher Dirtbike on May 31, 2014 - 20 comments

A new podcast covering the month of March and the recent April Fools. It runs about 90min long and was recorded yesterday. [more inside]
posted by mathowie on Apr 3, 2014 - 55 comments

This podcast covers all the best bits of MeFi from May, 2011. Recorded on June 6th, it runs 77min long. [more inside]
posted by mathowie on Jun 9, 2011 - 29 comments

Looking for a comment about the philosophy of ancient Greek mathematics. [more inside]
posted by Reverend John on Dec 14, 2010 - 10 comments

Was there once a FPP in the blue where the only text on the front page was "e" and which linked to something about the mathematical constant? [more inside]
posted by neuron on Apr 1, 2010 - 34 comments

I want to take a moment to thank everyone for their help with my struggle in math.
posted by Dean Keaton on Apr 18, 2005 - 12 comments