Latin and Math: Back in time to save the US budget? - 2 views

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  #1 Magister P Piantaggini on 22 Apr 13

   

  I just attended a regional Classical conference and came upon a fantastic paper at a panel. C. McKinney is a mathematics professor, but studied and teaches Greek. The Classics department was looking for a math course that students could take instead of Calculus, so he created Readings in Ancient Greek Mathematics (http://www.camws.org/meeting/2013/files/abstracts/161.Let%20No%20One%20Enter..pdf). Now, this is very much a math course on Euclid's proofs, but he found out that the students began with having challenges understanding the Greek, and then once they mastered Euclids' pattern of language, the latter part of the course presented challenges in the math itself.
  
  I immediately thought that this could be easily adapted for Latin, and then he said something that struck me, referring to the many "If, then" statements. Wow, Latin certainly has those...and when it came time to learn them maybe I could use some mathematical proofs...that would be relevant. All of a sudden, I was flooded with ideas...Latin Via Logic. Not only would proofs create purpose to reading Latin, but even simple operations, such as:
  
  Quintus has 2 apples. Marcus gives Quintus 2 apples. How many
  apples does Quintus have now?
  
  Now that might not look intriguing, but there's actually quite a bit of linguistic features involved in responding to and/or translating that problem. The result? A little puzzle to solve. Yes, there is an obvious answer, but the challenge is in the use of the Latin. Instead of there just being a narrative, I could incorporate perceivable answers that most 9th graders could figure out.
  
  So, my original story involved going back in time to solve _____. Well, I can't think of anything more relevant to us in the US than the prospects of Financial ruin. Why not travel back in time and take part in the Roman economic trade system, gaining "lost skills" that would help balance the US budget? In this sense, my game may end up looking like a Sim City/Age of Empires type in which allocation of resources is the big mechanic.
  
  Perhaps Sam could help with some ideas on this one.
  
  

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">I just attended a regional Classical conference and came upon a fantastic paper at a panel. C. McKinney is a mathematics professor, but studied and teaches Greek. The Classics department was looking for a math course that students could take instead of Calculus, so he created Readings in Ancient Greek Mathematics (<a href="http://www.camws.org/meeting/2013/files/abstracts/161.Let%20No%20One%20Enter..pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.camws.org/meeting/2013/files/abstracts/161.Let%20No%20One%20Enter..pdf</a>). Now, this is very much a math course on Euclid's proofs, but he found out that the students began with having challenges understanding the Greek, and then once they mastered Euclids' pattern of language, the latter part of the course presented challenges in the math itself. <br /> <br /> I immediately thought that this could be easily adapted for Latin, and then he said something that struck me, referring to the many "If, then" statements. Wow, Latin certainly has those...and when it came time to learn them maybe I could use some mathematical proofs...that would be relevant. All of a sudden, I was flooded with ideas...Latin Via Logic. Not only would proofs create purpose to reading Latin, but even simple operations, such as: <br /> <br /> Quintus has 2 apples. Marcus gives Quintus 2 apples. How many <br /> apples does Quintus have now? <br /> <br /> Now that might not look intriguing, but there's actually quite a bit of linguistic features involved in responding to and/or translating that problem. The result? A little puzzle to solve. Yes, there is an obvious answer, but the challenge is in the use of the Latin. Instead of there just being a narrative, I could incorporate perceivable answers that most 9th graders could figure out. <br /> <br /> So, my original story involved going back in time to solve _____. Well, I can't think of anything more relevant to us in the US than the prospects of Financial ruin. Why not travel back in time and take part in the Roman economic trade system, gaining "lost skills" that would help balance the US budget? In this sense, my game may end up looking like a Sim City/Age of Empires type in which allocation of resources is the big mechanic. <br /> <br /> Perhaps Sam could help with some ideas on this one. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/94373586@N04/8669681595/" title="Exhibit at the Museum of World Treasures, KS by MagisterMrP, on Flickr" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/8669681595_3d7827b031_n.jpg" height="320" width="259" alt="Exhibit at the Museum of World Treasures, KS" /></a></div>

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