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Family Forum / Parenting / Mothers / February 2005Can I just do...
...some primal screaming here? OK. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you. Onto our regular scheduled programming...  SignatureMo Woah!!!! Just got back home from a night at my local bar (this is once, maybe twice a month thing) and primal screaming really, REALLY hurts right now :D What brought this on? ;) > ...some primal screaming here? > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Onto our regular scheduled programming... > Woah!!!! Just got back home from a night at my local bar (this is > once, maybe twice a month thing) and primal screaming really, REALLY > hurts right now :D Want an Aspro? <to the non-Dutchies: Dutch brand of pain killer> > What brought this on? ;) Oh, where do I begin :-(? I've been working on my math for *months*, exam is next Tueday evening and I will fail...again ;-(. I'm nowhere near done with all the material I needed to study, math is just so difficult for me, it takes forever to study it. It makes me feel galactically stupid, because however many times I go over it, I still don't get it. The course is only 100 hours worth and I have studying several times that number of hours already and I will still get the same grade as the last I failed. And back then I didn't put in anywhere near this number of hours studying :-(. It's not negative thinking, it's a simple fact. I have plenty of old exams lying around and when trying to do them, I soon realised I am still unable to make at least 80% of the sums ;-(. Next to that I'm behind with about everything (mail, email, all my other courses, craft work, my house) because I have been so wrapped up in the stupid math course. I was planning on getting started with all that backlog straight after the exam, but now of course I have the computer trouble, so the computer will have to be taken to someone who can fix it. Don't know how long it will be gone and there's plenty I can't do without my 'puter. These days my hands are so bad, I can barely hold a pen, so I type pretty much anything. I was looking forward to studying a nice course for a change, but I need my computer for that, sigh. The expense of having the computer fixed isn't something I'm looking forward to either, especially since I spent more than a month's income on a new TV just last month. My apartment is a total chaos and I can't seem to declutter it and there's plenty more...;-( My eyes have been hurting very bad for several weeks (they are damaged because of my high blood pressure), which probably has to do with fluids building up behind them because of the sinusitis and kidneys not working properly. I've had visionary problems on several ocassions in the past few weeks and those always scare the pants out of me, since the eye problem is progressive. I've been having migraines, but those are most likely directly related to the eye problem (not to mention the math thing :-p). The housing company owes me over Euro 250 and still haven't paid up and there's more...;-). So sometimes I have the sudden urge to scream...;-). SignatureMo >I have plenty of old exams lying around and when trying to >do them, I soon realised I am still unable to make at least >80% of the sums ;-(. Mo, is your email addy good? It seems to me that you may just need some alternate way of thinking about the problems. Are these word problems? Can they be translated into English? -- Dorothy There is no sound, no cry in all the world that can be heard unless someone listens .. The Outer Limits >> I have plenty of old exams lying around and when trying to >> do them, I soon realised I am still unable to make at least >> 80% of the sums ;-(. > > Mo, is your email addy good? Yes, it is, I'm on the other side of the spam block :-): I _ am _ Mo [at] Ilse [dot] nl (remove spaces). > It seems to me that you may > just need some alternate way of thinking about the problems. I know...I've been working very hard at that for months, but my progress has been way too slow to make it in time for the exam :-(. > Are these word problems? Can they be translated into > English? Oh, there are so many problems, I hardly know where to begin... In highschool I was fairly reasonable at math, but somehow *all* of that knowledge has been erased. Even the most basic principles seem like Chinese to me. This is why I eventually started revising the entire highschool math curriculum. However, I have serious problems remembering the material I have gone over. It simply doesn't stick, even really simple things, that I know I used to be able to do in highschool. I've been working on it for months and while I have made good progress, I'm still not finished with even the highschool material. Open University's math course is not exactly well written and being a former copywriter, the poor language bothers me a lot. Sometimes I do get what they are trying to say, but at the same time I know that that is *not* what it actually says in the text. When I go over the OU course material, I have to stretch my brain to the limit, so to speak. I do my utmost to understand what they mean, but then suddenly they skip a step or two, because they feel everyone will get how they got from one step to another. Well, *I* don't. When I see all new variables popping up, I go nuts. One minute you're working with a, b and c and suddenly someone throws in p and q (Hello! Where did *they* come from?!). I think I have figured that one out, though. Same with the number e. It took me ages to discover that that thing lives in my calculator. At least in the latter case I have the excuse that 'e' never occured in highschool, I had long stopped taking math before it did ;-). The exams are pretty much a nightmare. Not only can't I do a lot of assignments to begin with (lack of knowledge and skills), but in many cases I have *no* idea what they expect me to do. They put it so weird, and I'm lost. I have many old exams lying around, but about 80% of the questions are so-called 'short answer questions'. This means you only have to give the answer, not the calculation or anything. So when I try to practice those questions and I get a different answer, I have no idea where I went wrong or how they got to the correct answer. Of course there's a teacher that I can email and ask, but ATM there are just way too many math problems that I don't get, I can't ask everything, let alone memorize everything. I need to *understand*, so that I can do the assignments on my own, without having to memorize everything. It's OK to memorize some things, but not as much as I need to now. And lastly, the whole course is jinxed. Long story, believe me, but so many things happened. Just last year someone brilliant at OU decided that only *one* particular calculator was allowed at the exam. I have one that is 15+ years old, works fine for me and it can do everything it needs to for this course. The compulsory new calculator was the same brand, but much, much more complicated! For weeks I had to spend many hours to learn how to work with it! It is a scientific calculator and it isn't even clear how to do a square with it. Just what a girl needs, wasting study time on learning how to operate an unnecessary new calculator. To make a long story short: while I know I have made progress in my math comprehension with the many hours I put in over the last few months, I'm rather bitter that in all likelihood I'll have nothing to show for it after tomorrow night. I *know* I'm nowhere near where I need to be, but the least I would have expected after all my hard work, was some improvement on my score. Unfortunately it doesn't look like I will be able to manage even that and I'm just flabbergasted. I'm beyond sad that I will again fail tomorrow night, but it would be bearable if I at least improved on the pathetic number of points I scored at my last attempt. There's good news, though: in 25 hours the exam will be over. Next attempt: April 12th (groovy, one day before my birthday :-(). SignatureMo >I have many old exams lying around, but about 80% of the questions are >so-called 'short answer questions'. This means you only have to give the [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >my own, without having to memorize everything. It's OK to memorize some >things, but not as much as I need to now. Hmmmmm. The answers don't help much unless they give you the work as well so you can see where you went wrong. This is the disadvantage of taking courses online instead of having a live teacher to talk to when you have questions, I am afraid. Memorizing really doesn't help because in math, the formulas may be different depending on the particular problem and there are too many formulas to memorize them all. Most people who use math computation in their jobs know the formulas they need because they use them so often, but they also must know how to derive a new formula if the problem they have to solve isn't the standard one that fits the old formula. That's why teaching math has to stress understanding the concepts and not just calculating from algorithms and formulas. -- Dorothy There is no sound, no cry in all the world that can be heard unless someone listens .. The Outer Limits >> I have many old exams lying around, but about 80% of the questions >> are so-called 'short answer questions'. This means you only have to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Hmmmmm. The answers don't help much unless they give you the > work as well so you can see where you went wrong. Well, I always request to view my work to see how many points I scored, but my work only has the answers as well, not my calculations. I wish they would just do a complete run through of two or three of the exams, let everyone see where they got the answers. *That* would be helpfull. > This is the disadvantage of taking courses online instead of having > a live teacher to talk to when you have questions, I am afraid. Open University's principle is that they send you the books and you're basically on your own. The courses are written especially for homestudy plus you can contact the national supervisor for each course by email or ask questions in the NG each course has. For difficult courses the OU does provide classes and math is one of those courses. I did take the classes back in 2000/2001 and while they were very helpful, I was always slacking. I wasn't ready for the level of math taught, so I basically missed most of what was said in class, simply because I was clueless. I meant to catch up, but my grandmother was admitted into hospital, stayed their for months and never went home again... The next year 2001/2002 I took the classes again. This time around, however, all of the time I needed to spend studying went to making newly invent extra credit assignments. We didn't get round to doing much else than the assignments during the classes either. I still don't understand most of what's in those assignments and most of it is never asked at the exam anyway. Somehow I managed to get the extra credit, though. I've known the teacher for years (he teaches all the courses that are difficult for me and he knows I am totally hopeless. Math is the last bridge I need to cross and I got the credit for effort, not performance). I was considering taking the classes *again* this year, but I already got the extra credit (thankfully there's no time limit on it) and that's the main topic of the classes nowadays. And besides, the classes were cancelled due to lack of interest, so I'm on my own. > Memorizing really doesn't help because in math, the formulas may > be different depending on the particular problem and there are too [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > new formula if the problem they have to solve isn't the standard one > that fits the old formula. That's pretty much my biggest problem: I just don't see it. If someone was to show me how each problem is done, I might be able to reproduce, but on my own, I just don't have a clue. > That's why teaching math has to stress understanding the concepts > and not just calculating from algorithms and formulas. Oh yes, I know :-(. I had lined up a teacher friend to help me. Specifically asked him if he would be willing to help me and he consented. Except when I went over to make an appointment he refused... That's what I meant when I said this course is jinxed for me. And now they've cancelled the course and there will be a limited number of chances left to pass the exam. SignatureMo >>> I have many old exams lying around, but about 80% of the questions >>> are so-called 'short answer questions'. This means you only have to [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] >was to show me how each problem is done, I might be able to reproduce, >but on my own, I just don't have a clue. I agree. It's really not helpful at all to just see your answers and the correct answers. You need to see your work and the work they did so you can see what you did wrong. Can you use scratch paper that you keep with what *you* did at least? Then you have a starting point. >> That's why teaching math has to stress understanding the concepts >> and not just calculating from algorithms and formulas. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >they've cancelled the course and there will be a limited number of >chances left to pass the exam. Oh, dear, that isn't very fair. I am sorry your friend let you down. -- Dorothy There is no sound, no cry in all the world that can be heard unless someone listens .. The Outer Limits >>>> I have many old exams lying around, but about 80% of the questions >>>> are so-called 'short answer questions'. This means you only have to [quoted text clipped - 66 lines] > Can you use scratch paper that you keep with what *you* did at > least? Then you have a starting point. Unfortunately that's not really an option :-(. The exam lasts three hours and I pretty much need all of those 180 minutes just to get through the assigments, so there's little or no extra time left for me to take extra notes. I *will* try to post some old exam questions in the NG for the course, though. Perhaps that way I'll get some more pointers about what to do with some of the assignments. >>> That's why teaching math has to stress understanding the concepts >>> and not just calculating from algorithms and formulas. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > I am sorry your friend let you down. I didn't speak to him for quite some time after that...:-(. He's a math teacher, for Pete's sake (no offense, Peter ;-) )! This is what he does for a living, it's not as if he has to dust off the math part of his brain for something he last did decades ago! He does this on a daily basis <rolls eyes>. SignatureMo >There's good news, though: in 25 hours the exam will be over. Next >attempt: April 12th (groovy, one day before my birthday :-(). OK. Strategy for the next test. Since I don't speak Dutch, I probably won't be a lot of help, but I can try. Is there any possibility that you can find a real live math tutor to help you study? -- Dorothy There is no sound, no cry in all the world that can be heard unless someone listens .. The Outer Limits >> There's good news, though: in 25 hours the exam will be over. Next >> attempt: April 12th (groovy, one day before my birthday :-(). [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > OK. Strategy for the next test. Since I don't speak Dutch, I > probably won't be a lot of help, but I can try. ATM I'm working on matrices. I got the multiplying thing covered, but for the life of me I don't understand how they calculate matrices to the power of two or three. It's not in any of my books eiher, nor in any of those I checked at the library (and there were lots there). > Is there any possibility that you can find a real live math tutor > to help you study? I had one lined up, a math teacher, but he backed out at the last minute after first consenting to help me. Haven't been able to find a replacement. My entire family is mathematically impaired, except for my brother, but he can't explain how to tie shoe laces, let alone math. Did look into the math revision course the OU provides to prepare for the course that I am trying to pass, but the fees were nowhere near my budget. Did I mention jinxed LOL? I swear, nothing goes my way, everything I think of never works out. But I *will* pass this bloody course, if I have to die trying! ;-) SignatureMo >>> There's good news, though: in 25 hours the exam will be over. Next >>> attempt: April 12th (groovy, one day before my birthday :-(). [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >power of two or three. It's not in any of my books eiher, nor in any of >those I checked at the library (and there were lots there). Well, try some online resources. http://chacocanyon.com/smm/readings/matrix.shtml If you know how to multiply the matrices, then the power of 2 is just multiplying the matrix by itself. The power of three would be muliplying the new matrix you get from that by the original matrix again. You really don't need any other special formula to square or cube the matrix. >> Is there any possibility that you can find a real live math tutor >> to help you study? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >;-) (((((((((((((((((((((((((((Mo)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) -- Dorothy There is no sound, no cry in all the world that can be heard unless someone listens .. The Outer Limits >> ATM I'm working on matrices. I got the multiplying thing covered, but >> for the life of me I don't understand how they calculate matrices to [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > You really don't need any other special formula to square or > cube the matrix. LOL, I *knew* it had to be something really simple. Now would it have *killed* the writers of the book just to put one example of that in the book <rolls eyes>. Thanks for the explanation and the link, it explains a lot :-). I did some Googling myself again, did some before, but didn't find a lot of useful links then, but this time I did find some useful information. If only I can get a couple more subjects covered I think I can sweat myself through the exam. I know I will never ever get *all* the course's material, so why waste time on trying ;-)? There have been a lot of revisions in the bachelor programme and loads of economics courses that required these particular math skills have been cancelled, so it's not as if I will ever use those hardfought skills again after passing this course ;-). SignatureMo >Thank you. {{HUG}} wanna ride in my car Michelle > {{HUG}} > > wanna ride in my car Onto the sunset and never look back, yes please :-). SignatureMo WOOT WOOT! Do It Again MO!!! (((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))) Teri > ...some primal screaming here? > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Onto our regular scheduled programming... > WOOT WOOT! Do It Again MO!!! LOL, not ATM, but later, no doubt. > (((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))) Thanks Teri, I could do with some :-). SignatureMo > > WOOT WOOT! Do It Again MO!!! > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Thanks Teri, I could do with some :-). ((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) Then have some more ....are they working? Teri >>> WOOT WOOT! Do It Again MO!!! >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > ((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) Then have some more ....are they > working? Teri Yeah :-) It will take a few days before I'll stop feeling sorry for myself, though... SignatureMo >...some primal screaming here? > >OK. Oh yeah, I highly recommend it as regular therapy ;-) Nan >> ...some primal screaming here? >> >> OK. > > Oh yeah, I highly recommend it as regular therapy ;-) Must be careful with the vocal cords, though, before you know it, you've primal screamed your voice lost into oblivion ;-). SignatureMo >...some primal screaming here? > >OK. /////covers ears My goodness that was loud. I hope everything is ok in your part of the world. -- Dorothy There is no sound, no cry in all the world that can be heard unless someone listens .. The Outer Limits >> ...some primal screaming here? >> [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > My goodness that was loud. > I hope everything is ok in your part of the world. Hmmm, in my part in the world everything and everyone is working against me ATM :-(. I'm getting very tired having to swim upstream constantly. And I hate math ;-). SignatureMo > ...some primal screaming here? > > > Thank you. > > Onto our regular scheduled programming... Now, you have interrupted you have to give us the News Bulletin.. SignatureKelly Mummy to Emily (12 Aug 01) and Isabella (5 Dec 02) ((( ))) Hope that feels better >> ...some primal screaming here? >>> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Now, you have interrupted you have to give us the News Bulletin.. See my response to Peter :-). SignatureMo <snip> > Onto our regular scheduled programming... No, the news first, why oh why was that necessary? <g> Marc > <snip> >> Onto our regular scheduled programming... >> > No, the news first, why oh why was that necessary? <g> I was trying to make it all go away...nope, didn't work, still there. (See my response to Peter). SignatureMo |
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