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<title>math-do</title>
<meta name="description" content="The way of math">
<meta name="week" content="1">
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<h1>math-<i>d&#333;</i></h1>
<h2>The way of math</h2>

<p><img src="gco/0g/karatekamom.jpg" align="right">
<b><i>Gambate kudazai!</i> -- work hard and never give up on yourself!</b>  


<p>There are many cultural barriers to learning math/science:
<ul><li><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/10/the-myth-of-im-bad-at-math/280914/"><i>The Myth of 'I'm Bad at Math'</i></a> can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
<li>Eileen Pollock has written about the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/06/magazine/why-are-there-still-so-few-women-in-science.html">implicit 
and explicit biases faced by women</a>.
<li>The <a href="https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/the-anosognosics-dilemma-1/">Dunning-Kruger effect</a> occurs when  people with the least competence at a skill are also the least able to recognize their own incompetence, and consequently tend to overestimate their abilities. 

<li>The flip side is that folks with higher levels of skill are more aware of what all they <i>don't know</i>, or can't do, and are more likely to fall prey to <a href="http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/11/fraud.aspx">imposter syndrome"</a>.
</ul>


<p>But in Japan there is much less belief in 'math
ability'.  Instead, it is thought: Anyone can do it if you <b>work hard</b>.

<p>A "d&#333" is the word for a "way" (see "Tae Kwon do"). So I'm only partly tongue-in-cheek in coining the term "math-d&#333"--the <i>way</i> of math--approaching 
math as a <i>martial art</i> that you practice to get good at.



<p>Instead of worrying about your ability, here are some concrete strategies of things you can *do* to develop in the way of math:



<ol>
<li><b>Read actively</b>: Check and reinforce your understanding by pitting yourself against the textbook examples: cover up the author's solution and attempt the problem yourself and then uncover what you did not understand by comparing the author's solution with your own. If parts of the problem still don't make sense, highlight and/or write out a question to bring up with peers or your instructor.

<br><br>Early in the course, if we cover some topics that you have
 seen before,you may not need to do this as much,.  But there is a
 danger that you'll avoid the habit of taking on the examples until
 it's too late.  So even with familiar material, you should at least
 occasionally exercise this discipline to keep yourself in shape.


<li><b>Answer the reading questions</b>. For some reading assignment,
I will give you a list of reading questions. These questions will help
focus your understanding of the textbook/class presentations. Your
answers will be checked for completion at the beginning of the day and
will serve as a basis for class discussion.

<li><b>Complete homework assignments</b>. After each morning, you will
be expected to do problems based on the material we just covered in
class. These assignments will help to solidify your ability to
describe, use, and apply the concepts and techniques. The assignments
will typically include worksheets started during class, WebAssign
exercises based on textbook exercises, and Mathematica questions. One
strategy for WebAssign is to print off the assignment, work on it
where-ever you feel comfortable, and then log back in to WebAssign to
input your answers.

<li><b>Participate in class activities</b>. Classroom activities will
supplement the reading and the homework assignments.

<li><b>Study with a partner or a study group</b>. Anything
that gives you a chance to talk through your reasoning will help you
learn.  Bring someone less socially connected than you are into your group.

<br><br>When you study with one another, try to do as much explaining
or thinking out loud as your partners do. You will know that you have
learned a concept when you are able to reproduce arguments developed
during a conversation. 

<li><b>Seek assistance</b> if you are having difficulties. Talk with your
study group. Come and talk to Paul.

<li><b>Review feedback on assignments</b>. Make sure you understand
anything marked incorrect. Complete a few similar exercises in the
textbook (the odd-numbered exercises have answers supplied).



</ol>

<p>Regular study as well as regular attendance in class is very
important to your success in the course. Because of the highly
concentrated format of May term, we will be covering material at a
very rapid pace. It is essential that you make every effort to keep
up. <b>Procrastination is penalized 3$\times$-4$\times$ as quickly in
a May term</b> compared to a regular term.


<h4>Image credits</h4>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37873897@N06/8011132745/in/photolist-dcV9En-96JuuL-63JER6-2MVhar-63Bnjj-MY7He-7QkZL6-7LHJXW-buZYEz-87PxjE-aqBA5G-7Y74CV-9RdiGu-EEEdK-5z3Ldy-dSdFD8-dKT4KP-91D5NX-7Kpj8B-51Qa4C-ddzdUr-8CoQet-CCgDG-dW4NqB-9uGvZa-7hi19-5h56w-52LvM-9RddaQ-3RPJqi-cPC6Xo-5w9d35-2mv2gE-cfnpo-9vHdXK-93GQEQ-7eEmX8-51QcQQ-51L3wn-82E3r1-7mhr23-5WwUTB-54hGLd-9AWa8N-91D5Mc-8KzbpS-iHxmN-aHm9st-eXUMh-51L33t-51Qe8L/">Flavio</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/126872576/sizes/m/in/photolist-cdfNd-2dnpF3-26YXsz-7hGYay-4JRAFm/">Sean Dreilinger</a>
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