People I (Mostly) Admire

134. Why Do We Still Teach People to Calculate?

Jun 22, 2024

Conrad Wolfram advocates for revolutionizing math education by focusing on abstract problem-solving with the use of computers. He discusses the importance of adapting curriculum to align with technological advancements and teaching practical, real-world skills. The podcast explores the challenges of implementing changes in math education in Estonia and the debate over incorporating data science into high school math curriculum in California.

58:44

Creator website

Episode guests

Conrad Wolfram

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Math education needs to focus on real-world problem-solving experiences, not just memorization.

Current math teaching methods are outdated compared to technological advancements in the real world.

Computational thinking and practical problem-solving should be central to modern math curricula.

Deep dives

Konrad Wolfram Advocates for Rethinking Mathematics Education

Konrad Wolfram, a mathematician and entrepreneur, challenges traditional math education norms by emphasizing the need to align math teaching with real-life problem-solving experiences. He promotes a radical new math curriculum designed to enhance students' understanding and application of mathematics in practical scenarios. Wolfram criticizes the current educational system's focus on memorization and computation, arguing for a shift towards experiential learning and teaching computational thinking. He highlights the importance of adapting math education to the modern world's technological advancements and the critical role of computers in revolutionizing math instruction.

Wolfram on Invorrectly defining the problem

00:56

Simulating Real Life Experience in Education

01:25

Interpreting the Four Steps to Problem Solving

01:17

Listener Poll on Math Curriculum and Gender

01:27

Intro

2min

Revolutionizing Math Education Through Abstract Problem-Solving

15min

The Significance of Step Four in Problem-Solving

5min

Rethinking Math Education for the Real World

17min

The Math War in California and Educational Tools: IXL Learning and Wolfram Research

8min

Open Source vs. Closed Source Languages and Changing Math Education

15min

Featuring Sue Bird and Thomas Hildebrandt: Conservation Efforts for Northern White Rhinos and Woolly Mammoths

2min

Evolution of a Definition and Advertisement Blitz

2min

Conrad Wolfram wants to transform the way we teach math — by taking advantage of computers. The creator of Computer-Based Maths convinced the Estonian government to give his radical curriculum a try — so why is the rest of the world so resistant?

SOURCE:

Conrad Wolfram, strategic director and European cofounder/C.E.O. of Wolfram Research, and founder of computerbasedmath.org.

RESOURCES:

"In California, a Math Problem: Does Data Science = Algebra II?" by Amy Harmon (The New York Times, 2023).
The Math(s) Fix: An Education Blueprint for the AI Age, by Conrad Wolfram (2020).
"The Movement to Modernize Math Class," by Yoree Koh (The Wall Street Journal, 2020).
"Math Rebels Invade Estonia With Computerized Education," by Klint Finley (Wired, 2013).
"Do Left-Handed People Really Die Young?" by Hannah Barnes (BBC News, 2013).
"Teaching Kids Real Math With Computers," by Conrad Wolfram (TED Talk, 2010).

EXTRAS:

"Bringing Data to Life," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).
"Steven Strogatz Thinks You Don’t Know What Math Is," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).
"Mathematician Sarah Hart on Why Numbers are Music to Our Ears," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).
"America’s Math Curriculum Doesn’t Add Up," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2021).

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People I (Mostly) Admire

134. Why Do We Still Teach People to Calculate?

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Konrad Wolfram Advocates for Rethinking Mathematics Education

The Evolution of Math Curriculum

Promoting Computational Thinking and Real-World Problem-Solving

The Impact of Subject Change in Education

The Challenge of Implementing Educational Innovation

Wolfram on Invorrectly defining the problem

Simulating Real Life Experience in Education

Interpreting the Four Steps to Problem Solving

Listener Poll on Math Curriculum and Gender

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
& Export

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

People I (Mostly) Admire

134. Why Do We Still Teach People to Calculate?

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Konrad Wolfram Advocates for Rethinking Mathematics Education

The Evolution of Math Curriculum

Promoting Computational Thinking and Real-World Problem-Solving

The Impact of Subject Change in Education

The Challenge of Implementing Educational Innovation

Wolfram on Invorrectly defining the problem

Simulating Real Life Experience in Education

Interpreting the Four Steps to Problem Solving

Listener Poll on Math Curriculum and Gender

Get the Snipdpodcast app

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

AI-poweredpodcast player

Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
podcast app

AI-powered
podcast player

Discover
highlights

Save any
moment

Share
& Export

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highlights