Revelations In Teaching

“What Bob does, SPEMDAS.”- Samuel, the student.

Working with some students requires both an agile mind and a quick wit.  Samuel, a communicative sparring partner, is one of those guys that reminds me of another student from a few years ago- Blake.  They have a couple common traits- random thoughts and chaotic math strategies.

One day, while working with Blake, I was doing my best to articulate the methodology of PEMDAS. As this is a key to solving complex algebraic problems, it occurred to me that by simplifying the equation first, the entire problem unraveled into a basic, rudimentary solution.

As every teacher has experienced, I received my own “Ah-ha,” a gift from math heaven.  The clouds parted to reveal SPEMDAS. Thank you! Simplifying to begin the rotation of the “order of operations” works so well.

My math-mates probably have not fully appreciated the insight. Such is the relationship between teaching and learning. Regardless, I know at least one person would have acknowledged its brilliancy -

“Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.”- Einstein