NPR: The Way You Learned Math Is So Old School (+Math Blog Carnival)

On NPR, you'll find "The Way You Learned Math Is So Old School" from Weekend Edition Saturday talking about how children learn math today as compared to the way we--their parents, the oldsters--learned math. You can listen to the podcast or read the text. Also check out the visuals showing how the teaching of multiplication has changed.

Just a little personal reflection...  While I never had trouble "doing" the math (as shown in the old way of multiplying) I had no understanding of what it meant. Now, having learned the second way--WITH manipulatives--I can now picture a problem like that (36x24) in my head and do it mentally. No paper. No calculator. That, for me, is a huge step forward.

Also, check out the new Math Teachers at Play Blog Carnival hosted at MathInsider. You're sure to find a lot of new ideas there!