Update from Portland

[kirby urner]

As some of you tracking the Python track might have seen, I'm
promoting SQL (Structured Query Language) as a swap-in for older units
of high school algebra.  What we take out are the multiple retellings
of the same basic story, first just X, then XY, then XYZ, then
vectors.

In this accelerated approach, we start with spatial representations
such as polyhedra and work backwards through vectors to the real line,
as an abstract concept mostly for college.  We're more interested in
the practical "how aspects" of vector objects, as these might be
understood by an animator or movie director.  The usual pre secondary
coverage is presumed, i.e. they've likely seen number lines.

The SQL piece stays connected to geometry, by having a paradigm set of
tables be about Polyhedra, with a simple relational structure in
SQLite.  Use whatever computer language you wish.  Hacketyhack.net
looks like a good route into Ruby.  But we've also got that bridge to
Venn Diagrams and set operations more generally, already a state
standard topic at various levels.

I'm not claiming widespread adoption of these reforms, can't be relied
upon for lots of graphs and numbers as I'm too busy being a small
business vendor of instructional materials.  My competition is mostly
invested in hand-held calculators so for the moment have an edge, when
it comes to portability.  However, if your math lab is already well
equipped, then might as well get your dollar's worth.

Kirby Urner
4dsolutions.net

Background gnumath teacher notes:
http://mail.python.org/pipermail/edu-sig/2008-September/008756.html
http://mail.python.org/pipermail/edu-sig/2008-September/008765.html