Does knowing your times tables really matter these days?
Watch this postYesterday I went to my local garden centre and was chatting to the young (in his 20s) assistant. He answered all my questions about various plants but when it came to charging me for 8 small garden canes at 7p each, he had to use a calculator. I was amazed but then started to wonder if it really is necessary to know your times tables "off by heart" as I learnt them at junior school. My 15 year old granddaughter says that she struggles with her tables yet ask her to do anything on the computer and she is a genius 🙂 What do you think?
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I have managed this far to cope with everyday numbers and no longer worry what people, think, other than make sure others do not suffer as I did. We all have a strengths and weaknesses, mine is the latter but I have many of the former!
Hopefully there is more understanding and encouragement in teaching standards these days.
I applaud your strength in speaking out, you are stronger than you realize!!!
In answer to celtictaf, I thoroughly agree. I believe there is some suggestion that basic life skills may return to the curriculum. I was very fortunate in my secondary Grammar school that in my final year we sometimes had gardening for PE, swimming lessons at the local baths, we were taken to the rehearsals of the visiting Orchestral concerts on a Saturday morning, and also to experience occasional local Council meetings All great Life experiences. Also in RE we had a grounding in all the major religions, No racism there!.
.I must add that my family is ordinary Working Class, I passed the 11plus and had a free placing. It has Upgraded my whole life!!! My parents could not afford to send me to University, but this did not stop me from having a successful working life. It is no wonder that we of our generation are Survivors.
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. I can still add up the cumulative cost of several items in a shop in my head to the amazement of the young assistant at the till. a flexible and retentive memory has been an asset all my life
Computer skills are not always the answer, a good source of gaining information it is true, but not the same thing as training a young brain to learn and observe and retain, I think!!!
I think the ability to solve problems, and be creative is the important thing especially for young people. Thus the basic requirements to be able to guesstimate and work out things needs to be there. Hence tables, Language, etc. It is far to easy to reach for the ipad, google and believe the outcome. See the US at the momment
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But CaroleAH I understand where you're coming from. To add to this timetable chat, I have to put my hands up and say that I dont worry about it as long as they can add by whatever means. What gives me sleeepless nights and nightmares is when timetables and calculators and no gadgets can help me understand the word INFINITY.
Infinity means never ending. The universe is never ending. So if it never ends where does it start if it never ended. Whats outside it? Now I am trying to think outside the box and it gets even more complicated. Why would anyone want to boggle us with such a complex thought and yet have time to worry about times tables. So very soon calculators and spellchecks will be implanted in the brain.. its sorted.