anyone know of or have an 18 year old unschooler who can't do multiplication? - Page 3

[Sijae]

That depends on what you mean by doing multiplication. At 18 I could do the mechanics of multiplication problems and understood the concepts fine but didn't know my simple multiplication facts so I lived with a calculator or serial addition. It wasn't until recently when I started using multiplication frequently and decided I'd like to have them memorzed that I learned my times tables

Laura

[annab]

I really love the philosophy and ideas of learning math from Brian at this site.

http://www.mathmojo.com/

Smart stuff.

I cannot imagine the circumstances under which a person never had to multiply before turning 18. Did they never build anything and need to know area? Never had to separate items into equal parts?

I don't think it matters if people can recite the tables (though it makes things run more quickly in many science subjects) as long as they understand the concept.

[SquibsNCrackers]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

Well, I don't know what to tell you - he's one of my all time favorite writers and speakers within homeschooling and education in general, so I think we're all coming from different directions on whatever he says.

I love the exhilarating way he thinks outside the box on so many otherwise unquestioned issues that come up in homeschooling and education. I mentioned to another friend of both of ours the other day that there are those who feel the way you mentioned - and she was stunned. She couldn't even imagine it, because she feels the way I do. Different strokes. - Lillian

Not hijacking thread ... just clarifying.

I'm sorry - I did not mean to insult David Albert (or you for quoting him). I have read his books, visited his site as a resource, and referred others to his books/site. I think he has a lot of good information to share. I just find his tone condescending, big time. Somehow I keep missing the opportunity to hear him in person, so can only speak for how his writing, not the man himself, hits me.