College Statistics Class in the 1970's

My $0.02.

In college in the 70's, I studied statistics. We spent most of our time and energy just doing the calculations (paper and pencil) and I really didn't learn that much of statistics. On the job in the 80's, I had the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software - powerful stuff. It did the calculations and I learned a lot more about statistics.

My point: yes, being able to do complex arithmetic in ones head is a valuable skill. Being able to apply the knowledge to real world problems (even using a calculator) is much better.

No mistake, we can become too dependent on calculators. The statistics professor once asked someone in class with a calculator to find the square root of 3 squared (in case you wondered it's 3.) I can't attest to the quality of education in public schools as my children have been in Adventist schools and have received a good education there (as evidenced by high scores on various standardized tests). Yet I know in the past it has not always been so (one academy graduated students who could barely read).

Guess education really boils down to teaching people to think tather than be reflectors of other men's thoughts. That's why I generally like the bantering here - we stimulate each other to think. (I'm also great full for spell chequers - they ketchup with all my miss steaks and help me chews the write word.)

An answer to this message: Slide Rules - Calculators - and Mental Workouts

See also:

• Thoughts On American Mental Arithmetic - 1892