User talk:Numiri/KinderCalculus

Invitation to discussion (transwiki from Wikijunior)
I invite community involvement in this discussion. To be clear, this is a discussion that I started, and the two issues (not restricted to the one talk page, but in practice this is where all the discussion is taking place so far) are the name of the specific module and, more broadly, the metaphor of layers of clothing of which it is a part. --Pi zero (talk) 11:41, 27 June 2010 (UTC)


 * I would be glad to read through it and tell you my thoughts, but I am a little concerned the book describes itself as "an experimental K-6 math program". I have my usual concerns about verifiability and original research. This sounds to me like a part of realm of education research. Do you off hand know if there any references, syllabuses, etc attached to this book? Or is this wikbooks the home of this experiment? Google searching doesn't really turn up much, but maybe I am out of the loop or searching the wrong terms. Thenub314 (talk) 16:01, 27 June 2010 (UTC)


 * Update: Kayau has started an RFD, where Panic has suggested transwiki to Wikiversity. I've commented there (and the thread on the talk page continues). --Pi zero (talk) 16:28, 27 June 2010 (UTC)


 * After reading the book, I think the phrase "an experimental K-6 math program" just tries to say that this book uses a new, innovative approach to teaching the topic. IMHO this is the best reason for writing wikibooks. --Martin Kraus (talk) 19:52, 27 June 2010 (UTC)

Problem with choice of metaphor
The metaphor of removing layers of clothing comes across as inappropriate. A different metaphor is needed. --Pi zero (talk) 15:28, 25 June 2010 (UTC)
 * See this related discussion. --Pi zero (talk) 23:20, 25 June 2010 (UTC)

I think the metaphor is pretty good. Do American or English children wear clothes when they bath? I guess most don't; thus, this is a metaphor almost every child can relate to. --Martin Kraus (talk) 19:45, 27 June 2010 (UTC)

Formatting
This book could really benefit form some mathematics formatting instead of the ascii-art math symbols. There is lots of info at meta:Help:Displaying a formula or come by and ask at WB:WikiProject Mathematics.

Here are some specific things I noticed that can be improved.

Powers: In LaTex $$5^3$$ or in wiki 53

Big parenthesis: In LaTeX $$\Bigg($$      $$\Bigg)$$, or in wiki

Square roots: $$\sqrt{x+1}$$, in wiki √ x + 1 (the √ symbol is contained from the button with that symbol that is visible if you select the "symbols" menu when editing a page.)

Hope this helps. Thenub314 (talk) 19:25, 27 June 2010 (UTC)

Note that the symbol is only available in the beta toolbar. Kayau ( talk &#124; email &#124; contribs ) 12:53, 28 June 2010 (UTC)


 * Are you sure, because I don't use the beta, it is god awful. Nonetheless I managed to insert it. Thenub314 (talk) 12:58, 28 June 2010 (UTC)


 * I agree that the beta (vector skin) is awful, but I only use the toolbar from beta, or the enhanced toolbar. I just switched back and couldn't find the symbol. I'm switching back. Kayau ( talk &#124; email &#124; contribs ) 13:06, 28 June 2010 (UTC)

Thanks for the pointer -- I will use these symbols. Beta or not, if they are not in the tool bar, I'll just use the markup. Numiri (talk) 15:47, 28 June 2010 (UTC)