AoPS recently interviewed me about my thoughts on math education and math contests. I shared a number of unconventional ideas around math education, including:
- Math isn’t always fun. Learning often feels awkward and uncomfortable. If our mantra is “Learning is Fun!” what message do we send, when it clearly isn’t?
- Using math creatively means students need to know why their algorithms work. Otherwise, it’s like telling a student how use red paint or blue paint, but never showing them how they combine to make purple.
- Studying a math curriculum without participating in a contest is like going to soccer practice every day without ever playing a game.
- Math contest rules are not the boss of you.
- Normalize frustration. Did I mention that learning isn’t fun?
Math Problem Solving Skills 