http://www.academicapproach.com/blog/2009/10/covering-the-average/ Teaching Beyond the Test Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:59:12 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.academicapproach.com/blog/2009/10/covering-the-average/#comment-55 Matthew Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:59:12 +0000 http://www.academicapproach.com/blog/?p=251#comment-55 I think what you've proven, dear sir, is that reasoning about averages with a basic "mathematical sense" is really the higher order reasoning approach we'd love students to take. For example, when working with a student who scored a 29 on the ACT, and who wants a 30, I'll say, "Well, you just need to turn your 29 on English into a 33." [For you laypersons, there are 4 sections on the ACT: English, Math, Reading, Science, all weighted equally towards a composite score] That student will then reach for the calculator -- and then I launch into a lesson like your laconically elegant one above.... I think what you’ve proven, dear sir, is that reasoning about averages with a basic “mathematical sense” is really the higher order reasoning approach we’d love students to take. For example, when working with a student who scored a 29 on the ACT, and who wants a 30, I’ll say, “Well, you just need to turn your 29 on English into a 33.” [For you laypersons, there are 4 sections on the ACT: English, Math, Reading, Science, all weighted equally towards a composite score] That student will then reach for the calculator — and then I launch into a lesson like your laconically elegant one above….

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