I have never really been in the situation where I feel a strong urge to put on my best cracked croaky voice, sigh, and bemoan the fate of students in today’s education system with the infamous words… “Well it wasn’t like that in my day!” However, yesterday morning I find myself in this position of reflecting that “it was all different when I was a little girl!”
I spent the morning in my old primary school [where my mum still works.] I was talking in assembly to 400 4-11 year old children. But before that, I sat at the back of a higher level year 6 [10 year old] maths lesson. Smugly, I think; “Oh this will be sooooo easy!” I mean, I’m officially a graduated grown-up with a degree, right?
However, 5 minutes into the lesson, I was very much wanting a piece of paper just like the students… So I could make a paper aeroplane! 2 minutes after this, I very much wished I had a pair of very thick, swatty-looking specs, just to make me look vaguely inteligent!
It pains me to admit that, one hour on, it was clear that a group of 30 10 year old children had a far superior grasp of the finer points of mathematics than I did! I’m just eternally grateful none of them asked me for help!
So, please someone tell me…
Do you understand division by chunking?
Oh Nay, really! Do you seriously reckon I worked out the minutes? Come on, I’m a Computer Scientist – what’s a computer for?
Hope your sitting down Nicola, I have internet! Yay! Am now catching up on your blog, which am most enjoying. Was going to read everything and then leave a comment but thought it would be more fun to comment on each conversation separately.
First and most important – so amazing to hear you talking of your walk with God. Your faith and willingness to ‘go’ is truly inspiring. Glad to hear from your mum safe journey over to South Africa and look forward to continuing to hear about all your exciting experiences.
As for here have to say having done maths A-level too – what in the world is division by chunks?!?
Also agree with your dad, your not alowed to be old cos that makes me very scared about Nov 15. Plus Daz working out the minutes is just sad!
Hey Nicola!
Have a safe trip and hopefully chat to you soon.
Darren just pointed me in the direction of your blog. I look forward to reading of your adventures over the coming year, and hope we can stay in touch more regularly than we have of late! While I’m here, I’d also like to say hi to any New College people reading. I’m really missing you all but can’t afford a trip to England at the moment! You’re all welcome to come and crash on my floor any time. Nicola, do you reckon you could come via Australia on your way home from Africa?
Take care and God bless,
Lauren
I refuse to comment as there are not enough figures
8566 days, 5 hours and 1 minute!
Hmm, I’m at 8163 and a half days, well that sucks…
Since the conversation has moved from long division onto one of age. Perhaps we could use mathematical techniques to work out how many days Nicola has been alive: I make it 7878. Gosh she is old isn’t she!
Gosh, I did maths up to A level and have not heard of this.
I have just looked it up though, and it looks rediculous, but interesting.
I feel very old myself, even though, sorry for saying this Nic, I am not as old as your self, lol.
Never could do division on paper all the way upto year 12 which was the last time I had to do it. I have to re-learn for each exam. Normally when I go into school I get annoyed by how simple the things they are doing and why they don’t understand them. That said, that mainly applies to I.T.