What would you think of having a subject harder then specialist maths?

[a weaponized ikea chair]

What would you think of having a subject harder then specialist maths?

Thanks

[DrDusk]

What would you think of having a subject harder then specialist maths?

Thanks

We do. Maths extension 2 here in NSW is miles ahead of Spec. Honestly it would be better to have the NSW math curriculum to be introduced in VCE, as Spec is not too difficult, and 4U actually tests your understanding and problem solving skills to a high degree.

[Sine]

What would you think of having a subject harder then specialist maths?

Thanks

Well, there is UMEP mathematics for anyone who wants to do that. Also MUEP but no longer from 2020 

[S_R_K]

I prefer the HSC Extension 2 course over Specialist, but I don't see VCAA implementing a course like that anytime soon. They are too obsessed with CAS and Mathematica and all sorts of other anti-mathematical nonsense.

[caffinatedloz]

As a Victorian student, I think it would be great to have a harder option! As well as providing that opportunity, I think it would encourage more students to do spesh.

[milanander]

I would certainly love a subject that is a step up from spesh. I don’t know too much about the NSW syllabus but I’ve heard that for all their maths subjects the only calculator used is the Texas scientific calculator. Maybe we could take a leaf out of their book and have a maths subject that is more focused on working out, problem solving and application rather than plugging numbers into a CAS (though I am aware of how increasingly relevant technology is in today’s world so I think we should still maintain our CAS-based subjects).

It might be a bit less popular in VIC though, especially when most schools don’t even offer spesh. Also, how would prereqs work? Right now methods is needed for spesh. If we added a new subject, would someone who wishes to complete this new maths subject be required to do three maths?

[RuiAce]

I would certainly love a subject that is a step up from spesh. I don’t know too much about the NSW syllabus but I’ve heard that for all their maths subjects the only calculator used is the Texas scientific calculator.

Doesn't have to be a Texas specifically. But only scientific calculators yes. NESA also have a list of approved calculators.

[DrDusk]

I prefer the HSC Extension 2 course over Specialist, but I don't see VCAA implementing a course like that anytime soon. They are too obsessed with CAS and Mathematica and all sorts of other anti-mathematical nonsense.

I know right? I looked at all the VCE Spec papers and if it were given to 4u students, I think most would easily score 95+
Some of the questions students found to be difficult have been asked as part of question 11 - the easiest question in 4u. I think this is why NSW was the only state that rejected this curriculum iirc.

[RuiAce]

I know right? I looked at all the VCE Spec papers and if it were given to 4u students, I think most would easily score 95+

Only on the difficulty scale.

"Most" is a bit stretching the boundaries of realistic, because until the new syllabus comes in later this year, the content coverage is not identical sufficiently overlapping. You'd have to teach them some introductory linear algebra and statistics first before making that call in a literal sense.

[DrDusk]

Only on the difficulty scale.

"Most" is a bit stretching the boundaries of realistic, because until the new syllabus comes in later this year, the content coverage is not identical sufficiently overlapping. You'd have to teach them some introductory linear algebra and statistics first before making that call in a literal sense.

I meant in terms of problem solving ability, provided students were taught the content, it would be a breeze.

[undefined]

Would be great but will probably never happen. I'd love to see something like graph theory be implemented into the maths curriculum but it looks like it wouldn't fit at all. (I know algorithmics has it) If anything a subject which covers some of the content from calculus 2 or 3 would be cool.

[milanander]

Doesn't have to be a Texas specifically. But only scientific calculators yes. NESA also have a list of approved calculators.

I wish here in VIC we could have a maths subject that only allows scientific calculators — that would really test a student’s problem solving and thinking skills.

Knowing how to work a CAS is great, but a lot of students rely on it blindly without even understanding how the process actually works.

I know right? I looked at all the VCE Spec papers and if it were given to 4u students, I think most would easily score 95+
Some of the questions students found to be difficult have been asked as part of question 11 - the easiest question in 4u. I think this is why NSW was the only state that rejected this curriculum iirc.

NSW is certainly the most ‘academic focused’ of the states. Just look at the number of selective schools there are compared to here in VIC!

In a lot of Victorian schools (especially rural and/or public ones) you’d be considered a genius if you did methods. Unless you’re willing to take it upon yourself to learn harder maths, many VIC students would be miles behind NSW students in maths once uni comes along...

Just my little rant, but at least for maths, I wish we had the NSW system down here.

[RuiAce]

I meant in terms of problem solving ability, provided students were taught the content, it would be a breeze.

Yeah, that bit on "provided students were taught the content" is important in your claim.

NSW is certainly the most ‘academic focused’ of the states. Just look at the number of selective schools there are compared to here in VIC!

In a lot of Victorian schools (especially rural and/or public ones) you’d be considered a genius if you did methods. Unless you’re willing to take it upon yourself to learn harder maths, many VIC students would be miles behind NSW students in maths once uni comes along...

Just my little rant, but at least for maths, I wish we had the NSW system down here.

Maths is where NSW dominates.

Although the new syllabus fixed up a shit ton and NSW is arguably at least on par now in this regard, the old HSC science syllabuses were just rubbish.

[milanander]

Maths is where NSW dominates.

Although the new syllabus fixed up a shit ton and NSW is arguably at least on par now in this regard, the old HSC science syllabuses were just rubbish.

It’s good that NSW are fixing their syllabus and making it better. I can’t see that happening anytime soon down here

It would be amazing if we could have four maths subjects, with one being harder than spesh, but it just doesn’t seem that likely when VIC is so much weaker in maths. Truly unfortunate.

[r1ckworthy]

Although the new syllabus fixed up a shit ton and NSW is arguably at least on par now in this regard, the old HSC science syllabuses were just rubbish.

I totally agree, my chemistry teacher mentioned on how we were doing actual science instead of regurgitation and memorisation (although some parts still have that).

How are the new maths syllabus for NSW? Much much better than the old one or just new improvements such as statistics and so on? I know that they removed all of the year 10 stuff and introduced some yr12 topics to the prelim advanced math course.