TRAVELING THROUGH MY ENGLISH LEVEL 6
ALEX IMBA ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM LEVEL 6 YACHAY TECH, ECUADOR
TRAVELING THROUGH MY ENGLISH LEVEL 6 BY ALEX IMBA ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM YACHAY TECH LEVEL 6 -019 TEACHER: ERCILIA DELANCER JANUARY 9, 2017 IMBABURA ECUADOR
TA BL E
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C ONTE NTS
Portfolio
letter
Response
Literary
Essay
Analysis
Essay
Interpretation
Essay
Argumentative
Final
Research
Project
Essay
Essay
PORTFOLIO LETTER
Alex Imba 46 Yachay Way Yachay Tech University UrcuquĂ, Imbabura, Ecuador December 8, 2016 Dear Portfolio Reader, My name is Alex Imba ,and I want to give my thanks for reading my English Language Portfolio. I am excited to express my reflection about the level six English class. Initially, when I was in high school, I never thought about the need to learn a second language. But from the moment when I entered Yachay Tech, most of the academic content was taught in English.So, my experience during the course of English has been somewhat frustrating and in part rewarding. Specifically, at level six I have to work very hard to complete all assignments provided by my teacher, who always was careful to monitor the progress and the better learning of the students. First, a lot of essays and presentations have been assigned at this level. For instance, at the beginning of the course, I had trouble with the response essay because of I did not know how my teacher was going to do the grading. However, by the second assignment called Literary Analysis that was about the critical reading of a specific reading; I placed more emphasis on the recommendations given by my instructor ,and I received a better grade in this assignment. Afterward, I learned to work in small groups and collaborate with a team composed by some of my classmates. This work was called an art interpretation and I had to give an analysis to a piece of art; so, in this assignment, I learned to accord to the opinion with the members of my team. Then, doing the argumentative essay I learned to take a position with respect to any specific claim. So, to argue correctly my posture, I had to read a lot about the legalization of drugs; as a result I wrote in favor of legalization of drugs because of diminution of murders and demise of drug traffic. Therefore, this argumentative essay allow me to have an analytical and critical point of view about the legalization of drugs. To summarize my writing assignments, I have to recognize that at this level has been more difficult than the others in writing due to the extension of the writings. But, I have improved my ability of reading and writing , and my organization at the moment of writing papers. Second, at the beginning of the course I believed that at this level the requirements would be less than the previous levels. My first aim was related to ​the​ improving of my speaking capabilities. So, this level helps me in my communication because of there was a lot of speaking activities in which it is mandatory to speak a determinate period of time. However, I was surprised that the regulations are more strictly in aspects such as grammar and organization of writing. Therefore, I can rightly say that I have achieved skills such as interpretation of readings, the organization of writings and pronunciation of words.
In one hand I feel confident at the moment of writing some paper or essay, for instance I know clearly that the key point to develop an excellent an essay are the structure and the fluency that you show in your ideas. In fact, my writing has had an important change from the moment when I start to use in-text citation to support or refute my thesis statement. But, on another hand my weaknesses in writing are related to the difficulty to find appropriate words, I could note that my vocabulary is reduced and as a result, I see as a repetitive writer. In other crucial aspects as speaking, I have learned to lose nerves when I speak in front of the class, but I still need a lot of preparation to talk without any problem. Basically, I am able of catch the attention of the audience due to my almost perfect organization in my speaking; however I also need to work better in the selection of my supporting details, to convince with valid arguments to the audience. Third, before the sixth level, it was not easy for me to write long essays; it is because the transition between levels four and five was so fast. But I begin to be a better writer from the moment I started to used in-text citation and read critically. In this level the comments of my teacher have been very rigorous in grammar and in content; so, It has been one of the most important steps to improve my writing ability. Moreover, I believe that a key point of learning English is the attention placed on other’s presentations and other essays because the author can receive approving or disapproving comments about its work. As a summary, reading articles to find correct arguments and listening presentations have been the best skills to grow the most. Then, while I recognize that passing this level represent the main aim of this course; also I am confident that during my normal classes I will continue learning and improving my ability to speak and write in English successfully. Finally, it was a great experience to take classes at the level six because at the beginning of the course I had fear of speaking in public and also I had a lot of pronunciation mistakes. So, currently I have lost my nerves and my pronunciation sounds better. I always want to improve my English. Specifically, a crucial aspect is my speaking because of it help me to understand my major’s classes and to expand opportunities in my professional life. Nonetheless, that writing goes hand in hand with speaking and I can say that my English language use in writing has been enhanced throughout the course of this level from the moment when I started to organized correctly the structure of my papers and having clear the supporting details to be argued. At the end, to be successful I have to recognize that at this level of English one have to work hard almost every days, and also one have to be careful with the feedback given by the teacher. Gratefully, Alex Imba
60 RESPONSE ESSAY
Running head: COLLEGE EDUCATION IS NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY
College Education Is Not Always Necessary Alex Fabricio Imba Yachay University for Experimental Technology and Research
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COLLEGE EDUCATION IS NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY
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College Education Is Not Always Necessary “Every year, many, many stupid people graduate from college. And if they can do it, so can you.” John Green. Thus, is it relevant nowadays to attend college? In the article called “Don’t Buy The Hype, College Education Is Not An Investment” written by George Leef in 2013 are treated some college topics. Leef supports that going to college is not an investment instead of this, it only enhances the person’s value. Currently, George Leef is the director of research of the John W. Pope Center for Higher Education Policy in the USA. The idea of George Leef about going to college is acceptable because of there exist some truth educational examples, also it article can be seen as an opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of attending to college. Nowadays, is it essential going to college? There are some critical points about this topic. George Leef argued that “the educational value of college is questionable” and it is supported by particular examples of different types of students. Leef questioned rightly the validity of some studies to show that going to college is still a good investment (2013). A study published by the Public Policy Institute of California suggests that going to college is still an excellent investment (Leef, 2013). However, its research shows the earnings of a person who attend to college is more than a person who did not attend. Thus, I think that the form of making the research was not the best, because earning a lot of money is not equivalent to be successful. Therefore, Leef claims: “That analysis is extremely misleading” and “Conditions today, both with regard to college academic rigor and the labor market, are much different than they were 40 years ago” (2013). Subsequently, while it is true that a college degree is a potential tool to get a job, also there is a contradiction because anyone will receive a payment only finishing
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college. Leef argued that employers are not hiring people that only have finished college. Also, to amplify this statement, in the TED Talk video called “Forget University? 4 steps to design your own education” Till H. Grob refers that college “is not designed to give your skins to your profession”. Thus, there are a lot of cases in which recent graduates do not have basic skills in his own field of study. Nowadays, an employer searches workers who have a high capacity for productivity and experience. Examples provided by Leef are adequate because it shows clearly how it is not only necessary to go to college to achieve successful goals. So, each student’s college has different capabilities to learn and to develop his own human capital. For instance, Leef proposes a three student case. First, a student who always is working hard in college; as a result, he finds a job related to his field of study. Second, another student who is not very interested in going to college, but he achieve a degree in an unusual subject. Finally, another student who in whole your life always was enrolled in technical courses and acquiring certifications in different technical programs, this student is having a good life without going to college (2013). At the end, Leef said an excellent question to American people “How can I raise my value and demonstrate it?” This question must be answered by the booster of a college education. In addition, all statements supported by Leef are according to my point of view about the relevancy of attending college. While it is acceptable that studying in University is an extra-help to achieve professional goals. Also, there are others forms of acquiring knowledge such as: reading technical books, working in a specific field and making networks. Thus, I support that going to college is not essential because from my perspective when a person wants to achieve a specific goal; this person can search opportunities in everywhere.
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In general, the article tries to persuade the reader about the false statements in going to college. The article written by George Leef and published in the Forbes magazine is presented to students, parents, teachers, government offices and politicians. Moreover, the tone of the author is outraged and the structure is clear because the ideas are coherent and all of these are properly connected. Thus, it is easy to note that the author wrote the article in academic language and it has a marked bias to show that it is not necessary to attend college to be successful. Overall, nowadays is absolutely necessary to know why it is not essential to attend college, so when we check some educational examples it is clear that a student does not need mandatorily to go to college. This idea is supported by George Leef in his article called “Don’t Buy The Hype, College Education Is Not An Investment”. In this article, Leef questioned the validity of some researchers related to education and also he presents a clear example of different types of students. In general, the article written by Leef is clearly supported and also has a notable inclination to do not attend to college. However, I think that in our current society, it is still relevant to going college. Nonetheless, a student always is free to make a correct decision about his own life.
COLLEGE EDUCATION IS NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY
References Leef, G. (2013, June 12). Don’t Buy The Hype, College Education Is Not An Investment. Forbes Forget University? 4 steps to design your own education [Video file]. (2014, October 20) In Austria. Retrieves from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUnpSYMNEhY
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Literary Analysis Essay
The Story of An Hour Alex Imba Yachay Tech October, 13 -2016
“The Story of An Hour” written by Kate Chopin in 1894 led us to imagine the perspective of a woman who receives news of her husband’s dead; and how she tries to understand the situation in a reduced room. Chopin in her tale “The Story of An Hour” shows a reduced setting of a narrative; this limited environment helps to express details and symbolisms, timeline minds and unannounced events. First of all, Chopin mirrors an excess of details in the tale; also it is to says that how describes specifically the environment or the characteristics of an object. For instance, Chopin claims “The delicious breath of rain was in the air” (1894). Moreover, Chopin wrote phrases such as: “a comfortable roomy armchair”, “calm face”, and “a dall share in her eyes”; all of these descriptions are interconnected with possible symbolism indexed in the tale. For example, the mystery and curiosity can be found in the sentence “There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it fearfully. What was it? But she felt it, creeping out of the sky”. Second, chronological thinkings are developed by Loise in the narration. Even though the story mostly happened in a limited setting; there are fragments that express a relationship with the timeline. For instance, (Chopin, 1894) “She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength” led us to remember the past of Louise who is the main character in the tale. Third, unhoped events are clearly visible at the end of the narration. After that as longer analysis of the life of Louise, suddenly the story changes the way in this sentence “Save one was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Breathy Mallard who entered” (Chopin, 1894).
Overall, “The Story of An Hour” written by Kate Chopin in 1894 denotes a longer reflection about how the death of someone affects you. In addition, in this tale is easy to recognize that the author wants to express specific details and symbology, minds related to time and unhoped ends. Thus, the reduced setting of the story helps to understand better the themes narrated in “The Story of An Hour”.
References Chopin, K. (n.d.). The Story of An Hour. 1894. Retrieved from: http://archive.vcu.edu/english/engweb/webtexts/hour/ October, 13 2016.
Interpretation Essay
Running head: “2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY”
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Interpretation Essay: Essential Reasons for Considering “2001: A Space Odyssey” as a Masterpiece Eduardo López, Natasha Jurado, and Alex Imba Yachay University of Experimental Technology and Research
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“If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed” (Stanley Kubrick). One of kind of art most complete is the cinema; it is because this art includes almost all others. In cinema, a lot of people work in several ways and in different kinds of arts, and as a final result delivered a piece of art. It can be seen in the movie “2001 A Space Odyssey” that was directed by Stanley Kubrick. The director of this movie was born at 1928 in New York, also he was a scriptwriter, producer and photographer. He is considered as one of the most influential filmmakers of the twentieth century because he stood out for his technical precision, the great stylization of his films and marked symbolism. The movie was filmed in 1968 by a time where the special effects are not developed, as they are now. The gender of this movie is science fiction, but also it is considered a cult movie by the impact that generates through the time. The movie is considered a milestone in the gender of sci-fi because it defines this kind of productions by the innovation of the scientific realism. As a result, to analysis this work developing more about: special effects and scientific realism, the evolution of the intelligence through of visual communication and analysis and interpretations of the end of the movie. The movie had special effects so advanced that earned it an Oscar in this category. The special effects in a movie are very important because the greatest special effects open the doors to the possibilities to create another kind of stories. Kubrick worked many hours a day by 4 years to prepare the film, he was obsessed with realism in this film. He spent months studying photographs of the Moon, so that the image of our satellite in 2001 was rigorously faithful to the latest scientific findings and with help of technological advances could represent his view. He tried to make even the smallest detail of the film authentic. For example, he decided to give voice to HAL 9000, the supercomputer that plays a crucial role in the plot, because the American and English experts in computers assured him that such machines would speak before the end of the twentieth century. This rigor in the approach
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forced him to decide on a series of issues, more delicate than it seems at first sight. The special effects and scientific realism in the details give to this piece of art its charm and status. The evolution of the intelligence through of visual communication was an important element during the film. We are interested in three parts of evolution represented in the film, which are a reflection of the changes of the era in the history of mankind. These are: monkeys, humans, and artificial intelligence. The film initially focuses on the monkeys, because it shows one of the main stages through which the man passed a long time ago. It also shows how these animals were developing intellectual capabilities at a basic level, so as to be able to think and create tools to survive in a better way, with which we can note great changes that had to suffer the human race to be able to reach its current form. Then you can see the evolution that has reached the man until now because he has developed his intellectual capacities completely. Therefore of this, he is able to think and analyze, as a result of this can create machines and manipulated them. For that time, human beings had evolved enough to develop a space flight and the technologies necessary for a travel of this kind. Finally, the evolution of man comes to the point of being able to create artificial intelligence, which is created with the objective of replacing the real intelligence of man by a machine because it is thought that this could be more accurate and efficient than that of men. The intelligence is the main characteristic of man and of this depends on the creation and development of artificial intelligence. In addition with the time, the man is still evolving and acquiring new skills and unique features that a machine could never achieve. Even though there are multiple analysis and interpretations of the end of the movie, it only depends on of self-criticism. After of the new release of the movie “2001 A Space Odyssey” in 1968, a lot of real and non-real interpretations were ascribed to this movie;
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however, the end of the movie caused different analysis. Therefore, to understand the meaning of the end it is essential to make a quickly summarize of the end of the movie. Thus, according to Dolan Reynolds in an article called What Does The Ending Of 2001: A Space Odyssey Really Mean? says: “ In the last 30 minutes of the film Dave is given all the knowledge of the universe and has been transformed into an immortal, all knowing being. Dave is now the films version of God sent back to advance his race further than they ever could have by themselves”. Now, a catholic interpretation can be attached in the fact that the movie expresses the chase of God; and at the moment when Dave receive all knowledge, it seems as a supremum God that is irrefutable and almighty. But, as the director of the movie Stanley Kubrick “You are free to speculate, as you wish, about the philosophical and allegorical meaning of ‘2001’.” So, as the first sentence of this paragraph says after that someone sees the movie, the interpretation only depends on of the self-criticism. In 1991, 2001: A Space Odyssey was annexed in the National Registry of Recordings of the Library of Congress of the United States because of its cultural or historical significance in American life. This work means several things for different people and this was possible by every person that work in the movie in special to Stanley Kubrick. The special effects are the most important visual part of the movie, this combined with scientific realism made possible this movie. Also, the evolution of the intelligence was one of the most important elements of the movie, because it could show the importance that has the human intelligent because all the technological discoveries that exist now and going to appear in the future are formed from this. Which shows that human intelligence is something unique and irreplaceable. At the end of the movie, various kinds of interpretation and analysis can be made; from a catholic point of view it seems to be the case of a search of a true God; it is because of all knowledge is shared to one character. Nevertheless, the director of the film claims that the viewer is free to interpret and analyze the meaning of the movie.
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References Kubrick, S. (2012). 2001: A Space Odyssey - Trailer [1968] HD. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2UWOeBcsJI [Accessed 15 Nov. 2016]. H. (2013, February 25). What Does The Ending Of 2001: A Space Odyssey Really Mean? Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://whatculture.com/film/what-does-theending-of-2001-a-space-odyssey-really-mean Kubrick, S.(producer and director). (1968). 2001: A Space Odyssey. [Film]. United States: Metro-Golden-Mayer. Joyce, P. (director). (2001). 2001: The Making of a Myth. [Documentary film]. United Kingdom.
Argumentativ e Essay
Running head: SHOULD BE ALL DRUGS LEGALIZED?
Should be all Drugs Legalized? Alex Imba Yachay Tech University
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Should be all Drugs Legalized?
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Should be all Drugs Legalized? How many deaths per day cause addiction to drugs? In fact, according to Dan Baum in his article called “Legalize it all” he said that “Americans have been criminalizing psychoactive substances since 1875” (2016). However, even harsh regulations imposed by governments; it is easy to note that selling of illegal drugs is habitualized in some places. Thus, after a strong war against drugs and without any positive visible result; it is time to legalize all drugs because of diminution rate of crimes, less cases of full-blown, AIDS and better control for addiction. First, many crimes are the result of fighting to get illegal drugs. Statistics show that after the legalization of some drugs, there was lower rates of crimes. For instance, according to Baum (2016) “The effect of legalization on crime has been difficult to determine. Overall, crime fell in Denver by almost two percent in 2014, the first year of full marijuana legalization” (Baum). So it is an important fact that supports the claim that legalization of drugs could have positive effects on society. Second of all, legalization of drugs also means the implementation of safe methods to use drugs. By the fact, that addiction is a hideous condition, the majority of addict users share the same infections and as a result they are infected with full blown AIDS such as: HIV, Hepatitis C, Tuberculosis and others. Therefore, to support this fact, Baum (2016) states that after the legalization of drugs in Portugal “addicts can now legally obtain sterile syringes, decriminalization seems to have cut radically the number of addicts infected with HIV from 907 in 2000 to 267 in 2008, while cases of full-blown AIDS among addicts fell from 506 to 108 during the same period”.
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Third, legalization of all drugs implies less money to control the selling of drugs. So, many countries spend billions of dollars fighting between drug trafficking and drug habit. Instead of change the strategy to win the war against drugs. Ira Glasser who represents the American Civil Liberties says “without marijuana prohibition, the government can’t sustain the drug war�. It can also be seen as an opportunity for the governments in the fight against drugs, because all financing provide to drug-war could be invested in rehabilitation centers for addicts. Overall, most countries have been fighting against the consumption and commercialization of drugs; however, almost any positive result has been looked. Currently, the best way to win the drug-war is legalizing all drugs because if this way the rates of crimes will decrease, AIDS diseases will disappear and the governments will have more money to treat addiction. But, even of the reasons presented before should be drugs legalized?
Should be all Drugs Legalized?
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References Baum, D. (2016). “Legalize it All”. Harper’s Magazine. Retrieved from: http://harpers.org/archive/2016/04/legalize-it-all/ (December 1, 2016)
Final Research Project Essay
Running Head: THREE WAYS TO IMPROVE MATHEMATICAL LEARNING IN ECUADOR 1
Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools Alex Imba Yachay Tech University for Experimental Technology and Research
2 Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools.
Abstract
Traditionally, levels of mathematical learning in Ecuador has been located at the bottom of Latin American statistics. So, this fact may be due to lower academic preparation of teachers and learning based on memorization. Then, considering cases of successful countries as a model to follow; Ecuadorian Ministry of Education and teachers must ​be ​implement new approaches of teaching such as: guidance in early childhood, learning based in games and discarding rote learning to develop logical reasoning. Therefore, the following paper supports why these implementations are the best at the moment of improving mathematical learning in Ecuadorian schools. In whole the paper analyzes many articles in agreement or disagreement with the main topic. So, at the end the reader is free to conclude which one is the best option to improve mathematical education in Ecuador. Keywords: mathematical learning, education, rote learning, logical reasoning.
3 Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools.
“Mathematics knows no races or geographic boundaries; for mathematics, the cultural world is one country”. David Hilbert Currently, there is a notable difference between the degree of mathematical education in Ecuador and the rest of countries around the world. According to the International Council of Science “although mathematics and sciences are primary sources of lifelong learning and important for the progress of civilization, Latin American and Caribbean children are not being taught at an adequate level.” (2009). As a summary, the ways to teach math in Ecuador are obsolete because of low preparation of teachers, and use of rote learning. Thus, to change the traditional teaching of math in Ecuador, it is necessary that the Ministry of Education and teachers implement new approaches of teaching such as: guidance in early childhood, learning based of games, discarding rote learning and developing logical reasoning. Elementary students in Ecuador are not well prepared because of low preparation of math teachers and use of rote learning. A couple of years ago; it was so easy to be a teacher in Ecuador; in my experience I had teachers that only finished high school and starts to give classes, so it is a crucial point in education of Ecuador. Moreover, in Ecuadorian schools is traditional to learn math under rote learning; it is to say that teachers only put emphasis on memorization of formulas. In general, an Ecuadorian teacher never has a specialization over an specific academic field; as a consequence educators can not clearly solve specific doubts made by students. First of all, academic guidance refers to attend kindergarten or preschool in early childhood ensures advantages in the manner of learning math. Specifically, academic guidance
4 Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools.
on the one hand some persons believe that earlier education such as kindergarten and preschool are not important in education of children and in general it is waste of time. According to an article published in The Huffington Post called “Do Kids Really Need Preschool?” (2013) supports: “It is because preschool must all too often be purchased for a hefty price. In fact, for many parents, preschool expenses are one of the most surprising costs of having a young child.”. And in another hand, an article of The Huffington Post called “Do Kids Really Need Preschool?” establishes that the benefits of attending preschool are: ensure academic achievement, school readiness and math skills. In general, if children have an appropriated academic help in early childhood, they will have easiness to find patterns, navigate in space, and grapple with real problems. Second of all, learning based in games means better understanding of mathematical concepts and mental agility. It is likely that each one of students that took a math class in school felt bored with mathematical concepts, and it can be due to there is no a perceptible application of this concepts. However, to counteract this fact, math teacher must be implement some mathematical games. For instance Jessica Trybus in her article called “Game-Based Learning: What it is, Why it Works, and Where it's Going” posted in New Media Institute supports that “ To progress in a game is to learn; when we are actively engaged with a game, our minds are experiencing the pleasure of grappling with (and coming to understand) a new system.” It means that through of specific games is possible to catch quickly operations and mathematical concepts. However, this idea of implementation of games in learning can be refuted by world power countries such as China or Russia that prefer to have rigorous education and discard new approaches of learning in math. Thus, elementary schools of countries as China or Russia, the
5 Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools.
discipline of each student plays an essential role in education. But, other countries in favour of creativity or innovation are betting in new approaches to teach instead of rigorous education and discipline. Finland implements in the curricula of a normal elementary school games with the aim of ameliorate creativity of Finnish students and in general improve the way of learning. According to William Doyle in his article “How Finland broke every rule — and created a top school system” students are “learning-through-play-based preschools and kindergartens, training in second languages, arts, crafts, music, physical education, ethics, and, amazingly, as many as four outdoor free-play breaks per day” (Doyle, 2016). In addition, the implementation of games in learning of maths in Ecuadorian schools represents a relevant point to change the traditional model of learning. Third, discarding rote learning in math implies logical reasoning and solving problems. The most common definition of logical reasoning found in the web is something similar to this: “Logical reasoning is the process of using a rational, systematic series of steps based on sound mathematical procedures and given statements to arrive at a conclusion.” Thus, logical reasoning comes with us from our infancy and allows to solve problems of the daily life. For instance, logical reasoning is implied when you are selling or buying products, and measuring or computing amounts. In contrast of this idea, Ben Orlin in an article posted in The Atlantis called “When Memorization Gets in the Way of Learning” expresses that “ Memorization has enjoyed a surge of defenders recently. They argue that memorization exercises the brain and even fuels deep insights. They say our haste to purge old-school skills-driven teaching from our schools has stranded a generation of students upriver without a paddle.” (2013) . Additionally, it is not the
6 Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools.
principal article in favour of rote learning; also a publication in The National Post called “Math wars: Rote memorization plays crucial role in teaching students how to solve complex calculations, study says.” Written by Joseph Brean in 2014 refutes the idea that rote learning must not use in mathematics; some neuroscientists revealed the crucial role of rote memorization in early mathematicians. And, what neuroscientists found is that “repeated problem solving during the early stages of arithmetic skill development also contributes to memory re-encoding and consolidation, thus resulting in enhanced hippocampal activity and ability to recall basic arithmetic facts” (2014). But, it is clear that the ability to do easily arithmetics facts does not represent logical reasoning and solving problems capabilities. For instance, an elementary student of Ecuador that dominate the whole of fundamental facts also could have rough edges to solve real life problems that implied arithmetics facts. In fact to support the fact of discarding rote learning a lot of articles also can be found. Rote learning is a method that consist in the memorization of concepts. In fact, this kind of education is valid in different fields of science. However, in mathematics it is not essential to memorize the concepts. The key point in math is understanding and thinking about the concepts; and as a result be able to solve mathematical problems applying logical reasoning. According to Liana Heitin in her article posted in Education Week called Stanford Professor: “ Stop with the math memorization” takes the idea: “Mathematics education in the United States puts far too much emphasis on memorization, says Stanford math education professor Jo Boaler. And that ultimately leads students to both misunderstand and disliked math as a subject.” and “"we continue to value the faster memorizers over those who think slowly, deeply, and creatively," and
7 Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools.
that this has "produced a generation of students who are procedurally competent but cannot think their way out of a box." (2015) One of the most critical problems with Ecuadorian students is the lower capability to think outside the box, which is to say generate non common solutions to specific problems. So, if the Ecuadorian government wants to change the traditional level of mathematical learning, it must be​ hire teachers that are be able of explain in such a way that students understand and do not memorize mathematical concepts. Overall, schools in Ecuador and Latin-American provides a lower level of education in math due to the low preparation of teachers and learning based in memorization. Low preparation of teachers means that almost any teacher in Ecuador has a specialization in math education; and as result these teachers only direct to his students to memorize formulas. Thus, in general Ecuador needs a transformation on its traditional educational system; this transformation must be focused in three crucial aspects such as: aiding childhood, learning based in games and discarding rote learning to develop logical reasoning. First, aiding childhood refers to going preschooler and developing early abilities to think logically. Second, a lot of articles coalesce that learning through of games entails better understanding of mathematical concepts. Third, discarding memorization in learning assures a correct way to increase the innate capabilities to solve daily life troubles. Therefore, if the Ecuadorian government implements the preceding statements, it will be a good bet that the level learning of mathematics in Ecuadorian schools will increase massively. Nevertheless, it is possible that better alternatives can be find in the way of improving mathematical learning.
8 Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools.
References Brean, J. (2014, August 21). Math wars: Rote memorization plays crucial role in teaching students how to solve complex calculations, study says. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/math-wars-rote-memorization-plays-crucial-ro le-in-teaching-students-how-to-solve-complex-calculations-study-says
Doyle, W. (2016, February 18). How Finland broke every rule - and created a top school system The Hechinger Report. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://hechingerreport.org/how-finland-broke-every-rule-and-created-a-top-school-system / Heitin, L. (2015, May 12). Stanford Professor: Stop With the Math Memorization. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2015/05/professor_stop_math_memorization. html Orlin, B. (2013, September 9). When Memorization Gets in the Way of Learning. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/09/when-memorization-gets-in-theway-of-learning/279425/
9 Three Ways to Improve Mathematical Learning in Ecuadorian Schools.
Trybus, J. (n.d.). Game-Based Learning: What it is, Why it Works, and Where it's Going. Retrieved December 05, 2016, from http://newmedia.org/game-based-learning--what-it-is-why-it-works-and-where-its-going .html
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A l e x
m u c h
l i v i n g
c a l l e d
I m b a
y o u
t h i s
l e v e l
6 .
I