On Oct 7 , at 11:40 PM, Aaron Harper wrote:
Having a student have to figure out how to get from one unit to an
equivalent unit in another system is an element that should never be
removed from the educational system.
I don't agree.
Translating measurements from units in one system to units in a
different system is worth while only so long as there is more than one
system. What I hope we are all striving for is a world in which there
is only one system (SI). In that world, translating between systems is
irrelevant.
(Admittedly, there is a brief time during any transition when some
conversions will need to be made. That is a separate and minor point,
about which we could discuss how much and what kind of translating
skills we feel are important and for whom, considering they will only
be in use temporarily.)
He also added:
And, the earlier the tools are introduced, the better they are
learned.
As far as introducing tools "the earlier the better", I would argue
that the tools that should be introduced early are the SI units (and
none other). Why teach something (unit conversions) "earlier" so that
it is learned "better" when it is a skill that will only be used in a
minor way during a short transition period?
Regards,
Bill Hooper
Fernandina Beach, Florida, USA
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SImplification Begins With SI.
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