Does one have to be a genius to do maths?

http://terrytao.wordpress.com/career-advice/does-one-have-to-be-a-genius-to-do-maths/

The answer is an emphatic NO. In order to make good and useful contributions to mathematics, one does need to work hard, learn one’s field well, learn other fields and tools, ask questions, talk to other mathematicians, and think about the “big picture”. And yes, a reasonable amount of intelligence, patience, and maturity is also required. But one does not need some sort of magic “genius gene” that spontaneously generates ex nihilo deep insights, unexpected solutions to problems, or other supernatural abilities.

Better Ways to Teach Math

John Mighton and his Jump program

Part 1
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/a-better-way-to-teach-math/

Part 2
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/teaching-math-advanced-discussion/

A Chicago parent (32.) wrote: “On a personal level, I cringe when I hear once again that all students are equally capable.” But that’s not the claim here. “What the data suggest is that we can raise the levels of achievement for virtually everyone, so that those differences won’t matter much,” says Mighton. “And children will at least have a choice about whether they want to pursue math or subjects involving math.”
In life, many factors determine success. Whether a scientist will make a profound discovery is not just due to sheer quickness of mind. “Passion, diligence, a willingness to ask unconventional questions, a sense of beauty, and luck — these are all equally important,” adds Mighton. “The point is that if children are all investigators, they are all participating in a beautiful game. As long as they are all contributing, what does it matter if some people are contributing more than others?”

Students Need Sleep

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sleep-t.html

"After just a few days, the four- and six-hour group reported that, yes, they were slightly sleepy. But they insisted they had adjusted to their new state. Even 14 days into the study, they said sleepiness was not affecting them. In fact, their performance had tanked. In other words, the sleep-deprived among us are lousy judges of our own sleep needs. We are not nearly as sharp as we think we are."

A Better Way to Teach Math

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/a-better-way-to-teach-math/

Imagine if someone at a dinner party casually announced, “I’m illiterate.” It would never happen, of course; the shame would be too great. But it’s not unusual to hear a successful adult say, “I can’t do math.” That’s because we think of math ability as something we’re born with, as if there’s a “math gene” that you either inherit or you don’t.