Re: electoral-vote.com letter

[robert <http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert>]

Weirdly, my Advanced Calculus class didn't really deal with multi-variable
calculus.  I think that would be more the "practical" side of things,
e.g., Differential Equations.  Advanced Calculus was more abstract,
concentrating on proofs.  Which I loved.  I guess my "hitting the wall"
moment was trying Mathematical Topology.  That was really abstract and,
despite being all proofs, was a real struggle for me.

I think it also depends on the teacher.  When I had a different teacher
(Hazel Jo Reed) for Abstract Algebra, I really loved it.

It would be better if there were no prerequisites for any course.  I mean,
I would never have been able to take Advanced Calculus (Hans Guttman was
the one that suggested it) without first taking Calculus if I hadn't gone
to Evergreen.  The bottom line is that trying everything everywhere all at
once is the best approach to education.

 > From: Noelle <noelle>
 > Date: Sun, 5 Feb 2023 08:09:19 -0800 (PST)
 >
 > about AP classes & calculus & MIT
 > 
 > B.J. in Arlington, MA, writes: This isn't about politics, but since 
 > we're talking about AP courses, I thought I'd share my perspective.
 > 
 > I'm a STEM kind of guy. In high school in the 80s, I loved math and 
 > felt I was really good at it. I took all the math and science AP 
 > courses my school offered. That included AP Calculus, on which I got 
 > a 5 (highest score) on the "BC" (harder) variant of the test.
 > 
 > Then I went to MIT, thinking I might major in math. With my AP 
 > Calculus test score, I placed out of the first freshman calculus 
 > course, skipping instead to the second, "multi-variable" calculus 
 > course (think "Div, Grad, Curl, and All That"). It was a MISTAKE. I 
 > was not ready for college level calculus. I realized that despite 
 > aceing my AP class, I did not really understand the concepts. I fell 
 > behind in math and never recovered, struggling through the remaining 
 > required math courses and never taking another one.
 > 
 > I majored in computer science instead, which I loved, and I've had a 
 > great career and life. However, when my kids are making similar 
 > decisions, I will certainly encourage them to take the hard/AP 
 > courses in high school, but I will not encourage them to skip 
 > college classes as a result. There is enough time to learn the 
 > material you want in college, and if going further makes sense, 
 > there is always grad school. Why rush?