A Book Review by Frances Kakugawa
Technical Math for Dummies
by Barry Schoenborn and Bradley Simkins
Wiley Publishing, Inc. 2010
What? A math book review by Frances? She, who avoided math her entire life?
She, who got her degree in Pre-school Primary Education to avoid all the math courses in college, thinking she would teach the numbers 1 -10 in pre-school and nothing more? Oh, is she Dummie part of this book? Read to find out…
Seriously…and truthfully…
This book is like that first lick off a chocolate mint ice cream cone or the feel of the ocean breeze on your face ; you just gotta experience it first hand to know why I purchased over a dozen copies for every household of my nieces and nephews, friends who help their children with math homework, K-12, and to a middle school math teacher to remind him how math can be taught with meaning and enjoyment.
This book ought to be next to that dictionary in every household. It covers concepts from addition to Trigonometry in the most learner/reader friendly way. This book covers all subjects at the most practical level. You won’t need to purchase books on various math topics, they’re all here. And I didn’t think I’d chuckle or laugh, learning about math.
Recently a math book for girls was released. What? Technical Book for Dummies doesn’t perpetuate that myth about girls being less teachable or capable. This book addresses all people as learners, thus respecting all learners without indulging in gender myths.
I grew up hating and fearing math and avoided all math courses beyond basic math. This book changed everything. The difference is the humorous and patient voices of the authors. It’s as though they knew they had to be delicate, uncomplicated with their language and funny to hold my attention before they could help me rid myself of past fears. This they did, without a touch of intimidation.
I highly recommend this book. You just gotta read a few pages to know why I compare this to an ice cream cone. Besides, I like authors who have confidence in their work. I’ve been promised that if I can’t balance my check book after the chapter on checkbooks, one of the authors will personally come to my door to balance my checkbook for me.
( If you’re thinking, but you can google, remember, someday when you need information immediately and the power is down, or all machines die, what are you going to do? And besides, don’t you want a friendly, witty, knowledgeable and patient teacher sitting next to you teaching you everything you want to know about math but are too embarrassed to ask? )
Book is available at http://bookloverscafe.com/technical math for dummies or
Hi Francis. I too hated math in my first round of schooling. Not because I couldn’t understand it, I could, but because I couldn’t stand the tedium involved in learning it (I was ADD). I had an incredibly different experience when in the process of homeschooling my son, I went, with him, to a College Algebra Class. Wanting to be there, for a purpose I could choose, made all of the difference. It was a joy. His mother was there too and had the same experience. Interestingly enough, he didn’t, but he did learn the material. I am glad that the book helped give you the perspective and attitude that made studying it a breath of fresh air. And, like you, I totally reject the notion that girls are not as good at it as are boys. Thanks for this, Dr. Robert Newport
Since, the time is changed, the way of teaching too. Nowadays students are more inclined to online tutoring services. I think online tutors are best persons to guide students doing their studies. They provide 1-to-1 tutoring to the students. There are several websites available to help students learning math. I personally like Tutorteddy.com. My daughter uses it; she is in 8th grade and has improved a lot after she has started taking online math tutoring from this site
Thank you for adding your voice of the technology world. I refer to your comment “..online tutors are best persons to guide students doing their studies…”
I’m still stuck in the dinosaur age and after 30 years in the classroom, I choose to be there in thinking the best of tutors is a human one. When students come to need tutors, it often implies there is a need for additional help. In my experience, I discovered that often, the source of reading or math or any other subject matter problems may not necessarily mean it resides in that particular area of study. Perhaps an on-line tutor can do as well as a human one.
I once diagnose a student’s reading problem outside of reading. It took a lot of probing and talking story with the student to discover the source was elsewhere and only then could learning take place.
More details of this is found in my book “Teacher, You Look Like a Horse,” beginning on page 87.
Thank you for starting this dialog.