In a 2012 Education Week article, Justin Reich, an internet education specialist, wrote that Khan Academy's math courses overemphasize procedure. In other words, Khan's math video lectures explain the steps to solve a problem, but they don't take time to explain the concept behind the steps. In the words of the author, "writing about mathematics, … Continue reading Comparing Khan Academy’s “Procedures” to Shormann Math’s “Story” for Teaching High School Math
Shormann Math
Comparing Khan Academy’s Mastery Approach to Shormann Math’s Fluency Approach for Teaching High School Math
This is the first in a series of posts comparing Khan Academy's online math courses to our new Shormann Math curriculum. Shormann Math is part of DIVE Math and Science. When Sal Khan started tutoring his cousins in 2003 using digital whiteboard video lectures, my family's small business was already in its third year of producing similar products. Since then, … Continue reading Comparing Khan Academy’s Mastery Approach to Shormann Math’s Fluency Approach for Teaching High School Math
Letters of Euler to a German Princess, Vol. II, Letter VIII
This is the second of eleven Letters of Euler I will rewrite and post on the subject of infinitesimals (the infinitely small), an idea that is fundamental to a good understanding of calculus. Click here to read the previous letter. Letter VIII. Divisibility of Extension in Infinitum The controversy between modern philosophies and geometricians to which I have … Continue reading Letters of Euler to a German Princess, Vol. II, Letter VIII
Letters of Euler to a German Princess, Vol. II, Letter VII
This is the first of eleven Letters of Euler I will rewrite and post on the subject of infinitesmals (the infinitely small), an idea that is fundamental to a good understanding of calculus. I am rewriting them from a 1795 English translation, and will edit some of the awkward character usage (among other things, the first "s" used in any … Continue reading Letters of Euler to a German Princess, Vol. II, Letter VII
Building Good Study Habits with Shormann Math
We just completed the beta-test of Shormann Algebra 2, our second course in the Shormann Math series. We learned a lot about what does and doesn't work last year in the Shormann Algebra 1 course, so in building Shormann Algebra 2, we applied the good and cast the bad into the lake of fire. A … Continue reading Building Good Study Habits with Shormann Math
Shormann Math Builds Effective Study Habits
With Shormann Math, using 21st Century technology to create a math course allows us to obtain valuable information revealing that, regardless of skill level, students who want to learn math, can, and Shormann Math has the tools for them to do so. For example, during quarterly exam week, students are provided with two full-length practice … Continue reading Shormann Math Builds Effective Study Habits
Shormann Math is for Everyone
A Great Question We recently received a great question about our new Shormann Algebra 1 course: Are your courses best for mathy children, or can average students also complete them? While "mathy" really isn't a word, anyone with any teaching experience knows what this parent was talking about. Some students just "get" math quicker than others. They're … Continue reading Shormann Math is for Everyone
Shormann Algebra 1: Results Matter
Why do results matter? Shormann Math builds on a solid foundation of time-tested teaching methods, including the incremental development + continual review format pioneered by John Saxon(1923-1996). And not just Saxon’s teaching methods, but his teaching thoughts as well, including his thought that Results, not methodology, should be the basis of curriculum decisions. One of … Continue reading Shormann Algebra 1: Results Matter
How Shormann Math Teaches Proof
What is proof? Proof is really nothing more than providing a reason for statements made or steps taken. In the standard American government school 3-year "layer cake" approach to high school math, the concept of proof is normally limited to some sections in the geometry layer. But proof is not a concept that is the exclusive domain … Continue reading How Shormann Math Teaches Proof
The New Shormann Math vs. Saxon Math and Common Core
Summary: If mathematics is the language of science, then fluency should be the goal, which means the traditional "layer cake" approach to 3 years of high school math (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) is probably not the best approach. The shapers of Common Core's math standards realized this, and now states that adopt their standards … Continue reading The New Shormann Math vs. Saxon Math and Common Core
Studying His Word and His Works 