Even Mathematicians Need to Know How to Write > Roger Geronimo

In today’s ever increasing communicative demands of the online classroom, those of us who teach the more analytical courses, such as math, finance, and economics, to name a few, need to know how to write good…or is that well? Anyway… In the traditional classroom setting, we merely need to look at students’ expressions, body language, and listen to their comments to know of their frustrations and issues in not understanding a topic. We would then stand up from our desks, and using our verbal and mathematical skills, we would explain on the whiteboard the various formulas or calculations requiring clarification. The student would then nod and smile with gratification or ask follow-up questions.

Piece of cake, right?

Well it’s a bit more difficult in the online environment. Our responses are typed into these little dialog boxes that frankly recognize words far better than the presentation of a formula, calculation, or even columns of numbers. If the columns and numbers are all in alignment when you click submit it is only because of divine intervention. There are, of course, ways to circumvent this issue by attaching Word documents or Excel spreadsheets.

In an online environment, however, we must translate verbal skills from the traditional classroom setting into written communication. Consequently, we must improve our own writing skills. If you were college-educated when I was (I think it was right after the Lincoln Administration), there were no computers. Excel meant to improve or exceed, Lotus was a flower, Gates were a point of entry, and Apple was the fruit that fell on Newton’s head! There was a pad of paper and a pencil. Oh, and don’t forget the old slide rules, the abacus, and the threefoot- long green accounting ledger sheets! A Writing Center? What was that! During that time, we spent thousands of hours relating to numbers, formula’s, calculations, algorithms, and models. Many of us from that era learned to improve our writing skills the same way we improved our computer skills: by doing and teaching ourselves. Our bookshelves are full of the “Dummy” series of self-help books. Now we must assist our students’ understanding of all these analytical tools and methods by using our writing skills.

I improved my own writing skills by writing 10-year strategic plans for a major international conglomerate. This experience was helpful when I wrote economic white papers for the White House for eight years. Suggesting complicated macroeconomic solutions to issues affecting the economy must be written for the understanding of the non-economist (the politician).

Now as a full-time instructor here at Kaplan University teaching graduates business analytics, I demand that students not only demonstrate their understanding of the mathematical concepts by using various formulas and Excel, but they must also explain those formulas and calculations in their own words. For some that is more difficult than the math. My hope, however, is that with my own clear and concise writing skills I can communicate to them what is required and expected. When an assignment is not written to expectations, I will demonstrate to a student how it should be completed; and, if required, I suggest a visit to the Writing Center. We are fortunate to have these resources available.

To quote the great physicist Albert Einstein regarding mathematics: “Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone.”

Did you know…

     For a quarter of a century Roger Geronimo has had a secret life as an Italian tenor and has sung throughout North America and Europe? He performs in professional opera choruses, has his own vocal studio, but mostly sings to raise money for charities and organizations, such as Child Cancer Fund, Wolfson Children's Hospital, Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation, St. Jude’s, and dozens of local charities.

[This article was originally published in our September, 2009 issue.]