[Maths-Education] The resource for the course

[Graham Griffiths]

Maybe I should make clear that I am not in favour of all the external
testing regimes and the drive towards qualifications as opposed to
understanding. My original response concerning the problem of "interesting"
and "non-routine" questions was more a criticism of time-constrained
examination as the main (only?) tool of assessment (certainly for many
students). There's a time and a place ....

I also want students to "understand" mathematics - I'm just not quite sure
what that means.

Sure - students who can think mathematically can do the tests [well
by-and-large - I still think even the most able need some support in how to
deal with the assessment itself - I suspect even PhD students need some
support in the PhD process]. Nevertheless, this is probably a minority of
students. The reality is that many students do not "get it" and may easily
end up with no knowledge and no qualification.

Really we are asking questions about the purpose of education and I am just
pointing out the "gate-keeper" aspect. Not necessarily something I agree
with but it is a reality.

> ... Graham still asks about qualifications.  The point is that
> students who are thinking mathematically CAN do the tests, but they
> can do loads more as well!!
> --
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> Dr. Anne Watson
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> University Lecturer in Educational Studies (Mathematics)
> University of Oxford
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> Tel:  44 01865 274052
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> Email:  anne.watson@edstud.ox.ac.uk
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