Making Maths Relevant
An innovative maths teacher has taken to the web with four short films for the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) to explain how to solve modern maths conundrums, while showing the exciting reality of modern maths teaching.
Matt Parker has devised a set of calculations that he hopes will ease some of the dilemmas of modern life, and save people money into the bargain. The TDA is using the films to encourage more of the right kinds of people to consider teaching maths.
The films look at issues young people may face in managing their money when they first move out of home such as splitting a bill with friends in a restaurant and dividing up household bills with housemates.
Matt has worked out easy-to-remember methods of solving rent issues; restaurant bill dilemmas; whether to choose a budget or regular airline and how to split the costs of a cross-country car journey.
Matt says: “As well as helping people avoid domestic ding dongs, these videos show what us maths teachers get up to in classroom. A good maths teacher brings the real world through the school gates and shows class 9G how to use numbers to make their lives easier.” The TDA produced films can be viewed at www.youtube.com/tdamathsmoneysavers
If you could make maths as exciting and as relevant to real life as Matt does then why not consider a career in teaching?
Find out more about the Initial Teacher Education courses on offer with the Robert Owen Group here.
Abi Horsburgh, 23.02.10
Extract from TDA Press Release www.tda.gov.uk