Page 3 - HIWT Spring 2013 World of Welding

hiwt@welding.org HOBART INSTITUTE OF WELDING TECHNOLOGY

MATH EDUCATION, THEN AND NOW

By André A. Odermatt, President
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology Teaching math today: A logger cuts down a beautiful forest
because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for
the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands.
Some time ago, I got an email He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you
with the title “Fifty-Five think of this way making a living? Topic for participation after
Years of Math in America” or answering the question: How did the birds and the squirrels
something similar. Many of feel as the logger cut down their homes?
you may have received it too!
When we see the mediocre math skills that many high school
It went about like this: graduates bring to their post graduate education and training at
Last week I purchased a burger HIWT, it is concerning how many will face problems entering
at Burger King for $1.58. The the “real world.”
counter girl took my $2 and
I was digging for my change The Organization for Economic Cooperation and
when I pulled 8 cents from my Development (OECD) launched a program for international
pocket and gave it to her. She student assessment (PISA) in 1997, which has become highly
stood there, holding the nickel respected around the globe. Every three years a randomly
and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I selected group of 15-year-olds take tests in the key subjects
sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her just to give me two of reading, mathematics and science. The tests are designed
quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. to assess to what extent students, at the end of compulsory
education, can apply their knowledge to real-life situations
Why do I tell you this? Teaching math in the 1950’s: A logger and be equipped for full participation in society. In 2009,
sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 470,000 15-year-olds participated from 65 different countries.
4/5 of the price. What is his profit? The results can be seen on the table below.

OECD Average Numbers:
Reading: 493 Science: 501 Math 496

Source:OECD PISA 2009 database
www.oecd.org/pisa

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