The teaching of mathematics in the UK

[clanky]

The following is a brief summary of the development of mathematical teaching in the UK over the past 40 ( well 38 ) years.

Evolution of British maths teaching

1. Teaching Maths In 1970
A logger sells a truckload of timber for £100.
His cost of production is 4/5 of the price.
What is his profit?

2. Teaching Maths In 1980
A logger sells a truckload of timber for £100.
His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or £80.
What is his profit?

3. Teaching Maths In 1990
A logger sells a truckload of timber for £100.
His cost of production is £80.
Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Maths In 2000
A logger sells a truckload of timber for £100.
His cost of production is £80 and his profit is £20.

Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Maths In 2008
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.

He does this so he can make a profit of £20.
What do you think of this way of making a living?
Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (Remember There are no wrong answers. )

[tango_ninja]

hehe funny....you could probably expand the title to "the teaching of mathematics in the first world" thus including many more countries

[robertchahine]

hhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
i rellay like it. it's so so so funny.
especially this
Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

and this
Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (Remember There are no wrong answers. )
very funny

[schauerlich]

So true, so true...

[Redache]

I think it's a bit unfair to start taking digs at the way schools are taught in the UK at the moment. You may believe that it's not as hard as it used to be but you'd be wrong and the fact is GCSE's are a hell of a lot harder than the older GCE's as there are broader subject modules.

I would agree if you'd said that Schools no longer prepare children for the real world as most schools rely on kids either going to University and learning all about it there or kids to go work in McDonalds and learn about social responsibility by being spat at by angry customers.