The Math Myth: And Other STEM Delusions

Despite the title, the Math Myth is actually pro math. However, it enunciates many concerns with the way that math is taught and used as a "weed out". Most students are required to take standard math classes. These classes are often taught by adjunct professors, because the full professor do not want to teach them. This leaves most students exposed to mediocre math instruction and has also led to a decline in those studying math. The courses have also "weeded out" many students who would otherwise be able to complete degrees.

Math is critically import to society today. Calculus underpins much of our advanced technology. Due to complex mathematical calculations, we have airplanes, microchips, cell phones and most things we take for granted today. However, only a very small number of people are actually using the advanced math in their work. Even in the development of advanced technology, there may be only a handful of people that need to know math beyond basic algebra. And even for this math, people are rarely solving them "the way they did in school." Most of the work is done by a computer. 

What can be done? Practical math and arithmetic can be stressed in school. There is a need to understand basic financial transactions as well as other things that are encountered in daily life. Statistics is also highly valuable. Advanced math has its place, but an emphasis should be on understanding rather than solving equations that a computer could solve. The advanced math should also be made more appropriate to the study. Why not have a math course taught by a psychologist? If psychologists need math, a psychologist may be better able to teach the practical math than a mathematician. Courses in math related courses (such as statistics) may be much more valuable for some fields of study. Math should not prevent students from entering their careers.