EDUCATION Archives | Math for Grownups

In Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: Colleen the Academic Advisor

For students these days, GPA is everything — so you’d better get it right! Today I interviewed Colleen Angaiak who has been an academic advisor for eight years. She helps kids calculate their GPA, set goals for the future, and much more. I found her math journey very interesting.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I work with undergraduate students, mostly freshmen and sophomores, to help them navigate the world of higher education. My primary task is to help students choose and register for classes each semester, but because our office focuses on Alaska Native and rural Alaskan students, we provide what we call comprehensive advising. This means that we help students with financial aid, including completing the FAFSA and applying for scholarships; deciding on housing and dining options; assisting with career development, including resume writing, applying for jobs, and long-term planning; and social and personal support as well.

When do you use basic math in your job?

The primary area in which we use math is financial aid. Federal and institutional requirements for financial aid eligibility include the GPA (grade point average) and a completion rate. We help students calculate their future (or potential) GPA as well as their completion rates. This primarily involves finding an average (GPA) and a percentage (completion rate). In addition, we use very basic math (addition and subtraction) to help students determine how much they owe the university and how much payment plan payments will be (balance due divided by the number of payments). When we talk with other university departments, we are sometimes asked for simple statistics, such as the persistence rate of our students or number of graduates. Sometimes we receive that information from our department of Institutional Research, but other times we gather the data ourselves.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math? Why or why not?

I almost always use a calculator for computing GPA and completion rate as well as determining payments or balance due. This is because I want to be completely accurate when giving information to a student. In addition, I use the calculator on my computer and show the student as I do it so they can see how I reach the figure I share with them. Some GPA calculations are complicated, such as when a student is repeating a class and the new grade will replace the old one in the GPA calculation. For this and a few other instances, our university provides an online tool to determine GPA, and I do use this tool as well.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

Our office takes pride in the fact that we make every effort to answer as many of a student’s questions as possible without sending them to multiple departments. Because I have the tools to calculate GPA and completion rate, I can help a student right in my office rather than sending them off to the financial aid office. And because I understand how these numbers are calculated, I can do a better job of explaining to students what they need to do next and how long it will take them to meet the standards set by the university or their own goals.

How comfortable with math do you feel? Does this math feel different to you?

I’m not entirely comfortable with math, but averages and percentages are calculations I’ve worked with before. My previous job included teaching GED preparation to adult students, including math, and that experience increased both my math skills and my math confidence. I am very thankful, though, to have calculators and online tools to assist me, and I do sometimes check will colleagues to determine the accuracy of the math I’ve done. I never help students with math homework or taxes, even if they beg!

What kind of math did you take in high school? Did you like it/feel like you were good at it?

I went to a VERY small high school that offered very little math. I was part of a group of 3-5 students who were on the college prep math track, and we took Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, with Geometry and Algebra II being nearly independent study (the teacher was in another room teaching a larger group and checked in on us 2-3 times per class). I enjoyed Algebra and really disliked Geometry.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job? Or was it something that you could pick up using the skills you learned in school?

Averages and percentages are pretty commonly used in life. Like I said, my previous experience teaching GED math helped a lot, and I didn’t need a lot of review to pick up what I need for my current position. There is a learning curve with GPA calculation, especially when dealing with special cases and predictions based on multiple possible outcomes, but I do think high school Algebra would probably be enough for anyone attempting to do the math I am required to do.

Anything else you want to mention?

When we talk to high school students who are planning to attend college, we always encourage them to take as much math as they can while in high school, and to not take long breaks between math classes. The more you use math, the less you lose it!

Interested in learning more about Colleen’s work? Ask your questions in the comments section.

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In Math for Grownups

Math at Work Monday: Mina the Speech-Language Pathologist

Today’s interview is with Mina Greenfield. She has been a speech-language pathologist for sixteen years. I enjoyed hearing not only about the math involved in her job but also about her work with children on the autism spectrum. People like Mina are becoming needed more and more as autism is on the rise. I’m so thankful that she has dedicated herself to this important job.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I am a clinician in a private school for students on the autism spectrum. I work on interdisciplinary teams that include classroom teachers, teaching assistants, occupational therapists, and social workers. When most people think of a “speech therapist”, they think of kids that can’t say their R’s or S’s. However, my work takes a broader look at communication. Can they understand what they hear or read? Can they express their ideas? And can they use language to communicate effectively with others?

When do you use basic math in your job?

I use basic math in my job to calculate my billable hours (each 15 minute segment counts as a unit) and to compare my “scheduled vs. actual” therapy time for the week (i.e. I was scheduled to do 23.5 hours of therapy time, but a kid was absent so my actual time was 22.5). I also use math when scoring standardized tests and interpreting test scores on incoming reports. When looking at standardized tests, usually the mean =100 and the standard deviation (SD) is 15. Therefore scores between 85 and 115 are considered to be within the average range. If I read a report on a new kiddo and I see language scores that are in the 60’s or 70’s (or lower), I will be keeping a close clinical eye on him. Percentile ranks also make frequent appearances in assessments.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math? Why or why not?

I use a widget calculator on my desktop for daily and weekly billable hours. I’ve always been good at mental math so it makes that process much quicker. When scoring standardized tests, there’s a lot of basic addition to determine a raw score, but then you use the manual to look up corresponding scores which does not require math.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

My ability to do mental math makes my job much quicker which I suppose makes me do my job more efficiently (better). I’ve been in the field long enough that I don’t have to “think” about standardized scores and what they mean. If I see a certain number, I know it indicates a certain strength or deficit.

How comfortable with math do you feel? Does this math feel different to you?

For my purposes, I feel comfortable with math all of the time. Again, I’m very thankful I’m good at mental math.

What kind of math did you take in high school? Did you like it/feel like you were good at it?

I took them all…Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, and AP Calculus. I also took statistics in college.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job? Or was it something that you could pick up using the skills you learned in school?

I picked up the math at my current job pretty quickly. I think compared to other professions, it’s “basic” math. (maybe?)

Questions for Mina? Let me know, and I’ll pass them on.

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In Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: Tiffany the Choir Director

Music adds such a level on enjoyment and creativity to life. As the Choir Director at Mad River Middle School, Tiffany Hesselbart sees this firsthand. In this field, it is essential for Tiffany and her students to understand basic math. Although math skills cannot give you a better singing voice, it may help those who already sound beautiful when they sing!

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I teach seventh-grade choir. I have approximately 140 students split between 4 classes.

When do you use basic math in your job?

Math is very important in music so we use it every day. We talk about the number of beats in each measure. We talk about the values of different types of notes and rests. For example, I may ask the class what the value of a quarter note is, and when they say one beat, I ask them what happens to the note if it has a dot on it. They have to know that a dot equals half of the value of the no, and that it would then equal one and one half beats. In addition, we talk about how two eighth notes equal one quarter note, two quarter notes equal one half note, and two half notes equal one whole note.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

Our math is basic fractional math that does not require a calculator.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

Math and music go hand in hand. I explain to students every day that they need to understand fractions in order to understand music. If I could not explain that to students, then they would not understand many aspects of music. So it not only helps me do my job better, it is absolutely essential.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I am comfortable with math that I use every day, but math is not my strong suit.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

I took algebra 1 and 2 in high school. Also, I took geometry. I think that I was good at it them because I was in accelerated math. However, when I took math in college, I realized I was not as good at it as I had originally thought.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

No, the math I use daily is basic math that middle schoolers can understand so that I can meet my teaching and learning goals with them.

So, when Tiffany’s students utilize their basic math skills in choir, I bet it is music to her ears. If you have questions for Tiffany, send them my way, and I will be happy to send them to her!

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In Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: Beth the Educator

We owe a great big thanks to teachers! They equip us with many of the basic skills that we use on a daily basis. Beth McBride has been an educator for over twenty-nine years, and currently she is a seventh-grade language arts teacher. I got the chance to speak with her about her job and the use of math in her daily work.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I educate students at the middle school level in standards related to reading, writing and vocabulary.

When do you use basic math in your job?

Grading is one place where math is used. The actual computation is done through electronic grade programs, but weighting values of assignments is still a human process. Math is used to analyze test results and gauge student learning.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

Absolutely! My strength is English. In the middle school, math teachers and English teachers have a healthy respect for and rivalry against each other.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

Math is an exercise in reasoning, problem solving and utilizing already proven strategies to get where you want to go. Life is an exercise in reasoning, problem solving and utilizing already proven strategies to get where you want to go.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

I took all of the required college prep courses. I LOVED geometry, but the only “D” I have ever received in my life was in high school algebra. My father, an engineer, insisted on “helping” me, and his older methods were different than those I learned in school. I “fired” him and got a B.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

Several years ago, I taught all subjects. There was a point when we adopted a variant math program, and I had to relearn many concepts in a new way to present as the state believed it should be taught. It is difficult to relearn something you know using a variant method. Now, I understand how my father felt in the above scenario.

As we see every week in the Math at Work Monday series, math plays a vital role in more jobs than we realize. Educators like Beth give us many of the skills we need to succeed in life.

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In Math Education

Getting Aware of Common Core Standards

Not all of us are parents or teachers, but I’ve long asserted that education is a “public good,” something that each and every one of us should be very, very concerned with. When kids don’t graduate or graduate with poor critical thinking skills, a lack of curiosity of the world around them or a dearth of basic math, reading and writing abilities, everyone suffers. And in a world where STEM-based employers are recruiting and paying more, we owe it to the next generation to do better.

(This is not to say that our educational system doesn’t have some absolutely enormous issues in other areas. Perhaps the biggest problems our schools face are not academic at all. I believe that if our country took a good, hard look at poverty, violence and teacher care, we’d make huge strides in the right direction. But this post is about academics.)

Enter the Common Core Standards. For decades, each state has developed and cultivated its own standards – or objectives required by each basic course, from history to language arts to biology. But over the last 20 years, a movement has grown to standardize these objectives across the country. With this umbrella of standards, what little Johnny is learning in Arkansas will be similar to what little Patrice is learning in Maine.

Right now, the Common Core Standards only cover English (language arts) and math. They’ve been adopted by 45 states. (Alaska, Nebraska, Texas and Virginia haven’t adopted them at all, and Minnesota adopted only the English language arts standards.) Standards for other subjects are in the works, including science and social studies.

For the last six months, I’ve been writing and editing curricula designed to meet the Common Core Standards for mathematics. I’ve gotten a pretty good feel for what they are, and I have to say that I like them for the most part. Here are some general thoughts I have:

Students will learn certain concepts earlier. I haven’t spent much time with the elementary level standards, but at least in middle and high school, various mathematical topics will be introduced earlier in the standards. For example, exponential functions (an equation with x as an exponent, like with exponential decay or compound interest) is covered in Algebra I, rather than Algebra II.

The result is two-fold. As the standards are rolled out, some students will be left behind. In other words, kids who started school without Common Core may have a hard time catching up or bridging the gap. Second, students will have the opportunity to learn more mathematics throughout their high school career. The idea is to better prepare them for STEM in college and careers.

The emphasis is on critical thinking. This part, I love, love, love. For example: geometry proofs are back! And rather than compartmentalizing the various branches of mathematics, students will make connections between them. I just wrote a lesson that looks at how the graphs, equations and tables for various functions – linear, quadratic and exponential – are alike and dissimilar. Previously, students may never have seen these functions together in the same unit, much less the same lesson.

This means that assessments will change. Students will be asked to explain their answers or verbalize the concepts. Expect to see much more writing and discussion in math class.

Applications, applications applications. Math is no longer done for math’s sake. And this couldn’t be better news. As I’ve said here many times before, math is pointless until it’s applied. Students should get this first-hand with Common Core, which outlines very specific applications for various concepts.

The idea here is to demonstrate that the math they’re learning is useful. The result? Hopefully more students will choose to enter STEM careers or major in these fields in college.

Students learn in different ways. Modeling plays a big role in the new standards, which means that students can approach the math in a variety of ways – from visualizing the concepts to using manipulatives like algebra tiles to working out equations in more traditional ways to graphing. This way, students can enter the material from a variety of different doors. And that can translate to greater success.

Sure, there is a lot to be concerned about (most especially the gap that we expect to see in student performance), but from my perspective the Common Core Math Standards are a step in the right direction. It’s important to know that these do not form a federal curriculum; the states are still responsible for choosing curricula that meet these standards, and education resource companies are scrambling to meet these meets. (That means I’m very, very busy these days!) It’s also important to know that chucking old ideas and implementing new ones puts a huge burden on already over-taxed schools and school systems. Finally, there is no doubt that this initiative was driven by the textbook companies, which means we’re still beholden to politics and capitalism.

But in looking at the standards alone, I think Common Core is excellent. If we can implement the standards well and keep them in place for a while, I think our kids will benefit.

What do you think of Common Core? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

In Math for Grownups

Engineering tops highest-earning degrees — again

With the economy still struggling along and a price of a college degree outpacing ordinary inflation, more and more personal finance experts are suggesting that students choose a major based on its earning potential. And true to form, this year’s American Community Survey data shows that STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees continue to promise much higher incomes than even business degrees. And so today, instead of interviewing someone about how they use math in their job, I thought I’d take a look at this data.

In 2011, 59 million Americans (25 years and older) held bachelor’s degrees. The most popular degree is business (20%), with education coming in second (12%). In fact, those with business degrees were the most likely to be employed. But here’s where the rubber hits the road: those with engineering degrees continue to out-earn business majors by about $25,000 a year (based on median salaries).

Yes, you read that right.

And the hits keep coming (again, based on median salaries): those with mathematics, computer science or statistics degrees earn $13,000 more each year, as do those with physical science degrees. Even if a STEM degree holder was not working in that humanities degree holders were (naturally) at the low end of the earning potential, along with education,

But money isn’t everything. Those in STEM careers are more likely be employed in full-time, year-round jobs. (Curiously, teachers aren’t considered year-round employees, which I think skews the data somewhat.) The mathy/sciencey types are also less likely to be unemployed.

I am not one to suggest that someone get a degree merely for the earning potential. If you don’t want to be an engineer, don’t major in that field. It sounds a little woo-woo, but I firmly believe in the general idea that we should all be following our bliss (and being smart about what that means financially).

Where I think this data matters — big time — is much farther down the educational ladder. Students who learn to love (or at least appreciate) STEM subjects are much more likely to consider these as a field of study. On the other hand, many of you can personally attest to the fact that it’s hard to fall in love with these subjects — and play catch up with the concepts and foundation needed to excel in them — when you’ve learned to hate them or have zero confidence in your abilities.

In other words, the work starts in elementary and middle school. For students reach their real earning potential and for employers to find qualified experts for the jobs that they do have, we really must make STEM a priority in these grades. That doesn’t mean more testing or introducing concepts at a younger age. (In my opinion, those strategies are counterproductive.) It means finding truly gifted STEM teachers who are able to motivate their students and overcome our epidemic of mathematics anxiety and general apathy towards the subject. It means approaching STEM subjects with excitement and a sense of discovery. It means encouraging, not discouraging, exploration in these subjects.

So I ask you: What are you doing to help with this?

Interested in how things broke down numerically? Here are a few median salaries from the American Community Survey:

Engineering, $91,611
Computers, mathematics, statistics, $80,180
Physical and related sciences, $80,037
Business, $66,605
Literature and languages, $58,616
Education, $50,902
Visual and performing arts, $50,484

What do you think? Should college students choose a degree based on earning potential? Or should they “follow their bliss”? How can schools help students develop an interest in the fields that offer a higher earning potential? Share your comments!

In Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: Tiffany the math teacher

Today is the first day of school here, so I decided to repost this Math at Work Monday interview with Tiffany Choice, a middle school math teacher in Fairfax, Virginia. You might be a little surprised by how she uses math in her work!

I know what you’re thinking. “It’s so obvious how a 6th grade teacher would use math! She’s teaching fractions and division and percents!”

There’s always a lot more to teaching than the rest of us may think. And that’s why I asked Tiffany Choice to answer today’s Math at Work Monday questions. Ms. Choice was my daughter’s 4th grade teacher, and she’s the best elementary math teacher I’ve ever met. She truly made the math fun, and she really got into her lessons. I know this for sure, because I had the pleasure of subbing for Ms. Choice while she was on maternity leave. Let me tell you, those kids loved her — and so do I!

Last year, Ms. Choice moved to Fairfax County, Virginia. She’s getting ready to start teaching 6th grade there. In honor of what was supposed to be our first day of school — until Hurricane Irene changed our plans! — here’s how she uses math in her classroom.

Can you explain what you do for a living? I teach state-mandated curriculum to students. My job also includes communicating to parents progress and/or concerns, appropriately assessing my students, and analyzing data to drive my instruction and lessons.

When do you use basic math in your job? I use math all the time — mostly basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. When I plan lessons, I need to appropriately plan for activities that will last a certain length of time. Then, when I am teaching the lessons, I am watching the clock and using timers to keep my lessons moving or calculating elapsed time.

I also use math to grade assignments and calculate grades. I break a student’s grade into 4 categories; participation, homework, classwork, test/projects. Each category has a different weight. Participation and homework are each 10 percent, while classwork and test/projects are each 40 percent. Then for each grading period, I average grades and take the appropriate percentage to get the overall grade.

I also use math to analyze data and drive my instruction. After quarter assessments or chapter tests are given, I look for trends. Which questions did the majority of students get incorrect? If I notice out of 60 students only 30% of them got a certain question correct this says to me that most of them (42 to be exact) got the question wrong. I need to figure out why and go back.

I will also use math to group my students for games and activities. When I originally plan for them I always assume all students will be present. However, with absences and such I have to use last-minute division to regroup them. I move desks around into different groups periodically during the year, and that requires division as well.[pullquote]It’s completely normal to feel anxious or nervous about math. But a great teacher at any level (primary to college) will help you “get it.” Just don’t give up.[/pullquote]

When I plan for field trips, I have to calculate the total cost for each student depending on the fees involved. Then, I have to count large amounts money that has been collected to account for the correct amounts.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math? At my first teaching job, I had a computer program that calculated grades for me, but when I left and went to a new district I didn’t have that software, so I did grades all by hand using a calculator.

How do you think math helps you do your job better? The whole point of my job is to get students to learn and become great thinkers. I wouldn’t be able to find or focus on areas of weakness if I wasn’t able to properly analyze data and comprehend what it really means to me.

What kind of math did you take in high school? Did you like it or feel like you were good at it? I only took algebra and geometry in high school. I was terrible at math in high school and didn’t enjoy it or “get it” until college. I started in a community college and I had to take two developmental math classes before I could take what was required. It was during those developmental courses I finally “got it” and began to actually enjoy it. Everything finally made sense.

It’s completely normal to feel anxious or nervous about math. But a great teacher at any level (primary to college) will help you “get it.” Just don’t give up.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do this math? The math I use to do my job is math that is taught up to the middle school level. I didn’t have to learn anything special.

Thanks so much, Ms. Choice! (I don’t think I can ever call her Tiffany!) If you have questions for Ms. Choice, just ask them in the comments section. She has agreed to come back to Math for Grownups to talk a bit about how parents can work with their kids’ math teachers, so stay tuned for more advice from her.

In Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: Julia the financial aid professional

Any college student who receives financial aid knows the drill. Folks in the financial aid office look carefully at many of the numbers that define a college student’s life — from income to GPA. Financial aid is reserved for those who need the funds the most and maintain good grades, while moving through a degree program in a reasonable amount of time.

Financial aid is also one big reason that some people are able to attend college — and ultimately land a good job in the hopes of remaining financially stable. Julia Dennis just left her job as a financial aid professional for a community college in North Carolina. She offered to share how she used math in her job.

Can you explain what you did for a living? I awarded financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships, and work study) to college students.

When did you use basic math in your job? Mostly adding and subtracting, but also some division and a small amount of multiplication. Here’s an example.

Students are federally required to maintain a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA and at least a 67% cumulative completion rate. Being able to look at the number of completed versus attempted classes and know at a glance whether the student hit the 67% mark is decidedly helpful. (When it’s close, I always break out the calculator or adding machine to be certain.) The student also is required to complete their degree in 150% of the allotted time for their program. In other words, if their program is 100 credit hours, they have to complete their degree by the time they have finished attempting no more than 150 credit hours. Math is helpful for that as well.

Did you use any technology to help with this math? Some things I can do without it. For the numbers that look close, I always use a calculator or an adding machine.

How do you think math helped you do your job better? Sometimes students are right on the line. Being able to do the correct calculations to determine their eligibility for aid means the difference between that student going to school or not. In my job, the usefulness of math is a no-brainer.

How comfortable with math do you feel? I’ve always been comfortable with math. I scored higher on the math portion of the SAT than the English, which was weird because English was my favorite subject. I am one of those weird people who actually enjoys balancing the checkbook. I like the preciseness of it.

What kind of math did you take in high school? I took Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus. I can’t say I loved it, but I did pretty well at it.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you used in your job? No new skills required. Most financial aid math involves things you learned in grade school.

Anything else you want to mention? If math is something you enjoy, then being a financial aid professional is something you might want to consider as a career. On the other hand, it’s important to be good with people too, since so much of being a Financial Aid Counselor or Director is having to give people bad news. You have to be prepared for lots of misplaced anger and a fair amount of stress and overtime.

Stay tuned for more details about financial aid math, along with repaying student loans!

In Math at Work Monday

Math at Work Monday: Tiffany the 6th grade teacher