There is a popular idea that the study of mathematics and the application of formal logic will increase one’s ability to think logically in life, and consequently the student trained in logic will be more successful in solving problems. This is absolutely not true. … What will be of help in the lives of our students is self-discipline, responsible attitudes, persistence, love of learning, respect for others, honest self-analysis, and the self-esteem that comes from meeting rigorous challenges. The value of school is not so much in the studies, but through the studies. Contrary to Locke’s opinion, there is nothing wrong with teaching algebra and geometry to children, if only the algebra and geometry are not the goal, but rather the medium through which character is developed.
School classrooms can be exceedingly difficult places in which to learn mathematics well.
Teachers vary in passion and ability (as is natural); class behaviour and attitudes (and bullying) can alter the learning environment radically; learning in a large group at the same speed and with little opportunity to receive one-on-one help leads to boredom or frustration for many/most students; textbooks vary in quality and frequently lack stimulating material (because publishers restrict the size of the books); and sometimes students are negatively influenced by parents and peers who share their own bad experiences or attitudes.
Home educators, too, often feel that they lack sufficient understanding to teach their children mathematics … and the resources that they have access to can sometimes be bland, unstimulating, and even poorly explained or constructed.
My wife and I home educated our daughter and I have taught and tutored mathematics for many years. I am aware of the difficulties listed above and have often been asked by students and parents to create a website to share my understanding and resources with others. Crystal Clear Mathematics is the result.
Because this medium is not interactive (in the sense of allowing immediate interaction between you and me) I cannot provide the quality of tutition that I would like to offer you … but I hope you find the videos and the supporting files to be useful none-the-less.
This website and its associated FaceBook page and YouTube channel were all launched on Tuesday 20 November 2012.
Thanks for this video, I was having a lot of trouble with the chain rule, I studied the text book (very confusing) and several other videos, but I found your video most helpful, and I new feel I really do understand it.
MeijinSensei (on a CCM YouTube video about the Chain Rule)
