Well, now, im going to rants and rumble about the subject that i am teaching this semester (January 2009). The subject title is "Technical Mathematics 2". I am teaching this subject on a part-time basis in my previous university, in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor.
This subject is not at all hard, but one wonders why there are so many failures for this subject. The following is the tentative outline for this subject:
1. Complex Numbers
2. Functions
3. Limits
4. Differentiation
5. Integration
I have been assigned and given 16 weeks to complete this course. Guess the number of students im teaching for this course alone: 200 students! The total number of hour for this subject is approximately 60 hours, i think. Anyway, as of today, 12 February 2009, i have cover the first three chapters.
The first chapter was done in a slow-and-steady manner, however, the second and third chapters were compressed in a 2-hour mass lecture, of which i did it yesterday. The reason being is that the date for the first test (Test 1) has been brought forward one week ahead of the scheduled date. Damn. Luckily, i have seen the test's question, so, truth be told, i have helped my students a lot by giving questions similar to what it is going to come out in the test.
Well, even if i helped them, i still wonder why still can't do it. You see, i have done many things in helping them. There was once, when i started lecturing maths at my previous university, i helped the students a lot. You know what i did? i disclose the question (obviously in an indirect manner) that is going to be tested during my lecture. In fact, i used that very question for my example, and guess what? they still manage to get it wrong. not just wrong, but totally wrong. they don't even know what to do.
Why is this still happening? i think, the main reason is because of their poor command and mastery of basic mathematics. truth be told, these students of mine are really weak in fractions (numerical & algebraic fraction), and even solving basic linear equations.
Just today, i gave them this problem: solve 2x+4=16. And yet, they got this answer wrong. And some of them, are worst! They don't even know what this gibberish is all about! Ha ha ha. I mean, if they can't solve this simple bloody equation, then how on earth are they going to proceed for the next level of mathematics?
well, i am really thinking on how should i proceed in teaching differentiation and integration!
God, please help me to go through this rough time!
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