Category: PoSWW
PoSWW 34: Not Working in Parallel
This PoSWW is a group effort, on one of the sub-topics in VCAA’s current curriculum:
parallel and perpendicular vectors
There is minimal guidance in the Study Design on what the sub-topic is intended to cover and, in particular, no definitions of “parallel vector” and “perpendicular vector” are provided. Our specific concern is the role of the zero vector.*
Below are definitions and implied definitions from three current Year 12 VCE Specialist Mathematics textbooks. We have attempted to be as fair as possible, for each text selecting the clearest definitions/descriptions we could locate.
*) One might be inclined to argue that this is a minor concern. For those thus inclined, we’ll address the argument soon with a new WitCH.
PoSWW 33: Algorithmic Unthinking
We’ll have more on ACARA’s great devotion to teaching algorithms in the near future, but this’ll do for now:
PoSWW 31: Really?
Honestly, we cannot believe it. We’ve checked it ten times and we still cannot believe. It’s from the 2022 Specialist Mathematics Exam 2 (not online), and nothing beyond the discussion on the exam post needs to be added. But, after last year’s screw up, and anyway, it has to be posted.
New Cur 1 + PoSWW 29: Cut Down in One’s Prime
As part of writing our WWW article, we forced ourselves, finally, to look at ACARA’s new Mathematics Curriculum. Jesus, it’s bad. Like village idiot bad.
We’ll start a post in the near future,* compiling the various nonsenses, new and old, and including aspects readers have already pointed out on this post. One new piece of stupidity, however, seems worthy of special mention.
Continue reading “New Cur 1 + PoSWW 29: Cut Down in One’s Prime”
PoSWW 28: The Intersection of Feminism With PISA
A few days ago Greg Ashman handballed an article to us, suggesting we might enjoy it, although clearly he meant “enjoy” it. The (paywalled) article, just published in the journal Research in Mathematics Education, is titled
Intersectional feminism to reenvision mathematical literacies & precarity
Yeah, you don’t have to read the article. We did.
Continue reading “PoSWW 28: The Intersection of Feminism With PISA”
PoSWW 27: That Does Not Compete
This one’s from AMT‘s 2007 upper primary Australian Mathematics Competition. Yes, it’s a while ago, and we are not aware that such BODMAS nonsense has appeared since on the AMC, and of course such BODMAS nonsense is endemic elsewhere. But we hold, or at least held, AMT to a higher standard.
PoSWW 26: Elevated Concern
Yeah, it’s been a while. We’ve been busy. But, hopefully we’re now back with normal transmission, and we’ll start with an easy one, courtesy of Mysterious Michael. It is an exercise and solution from Cambridge Essentials Year 10/10A.
PoSWW 25: Awe Inspiring
Courtesy of the TI Inspire CAS thingo. God only knows why.
PoSWW 24: Proportional Reasoning
The implication appears to be that this is opening the gates of hell. Continue reading “PoSWW 24: Proportional Reasoning”