Boyko Bantchev <boyk...@gmail.com> wrote: > Traditional algebraic notation is very good for what it has been > designed, and much easier to learn for kids than parsing J, let alone > understanding the underlying computational model.
I've done some classroom teaching and small-group tutoring, and it is not my experience that traditional algebraic notation is easy for kids or college students to learn. We're all very much used to it (and in some cases we overestimate our ability with it due to disuse) so we think it's easy. Now, I'm not sure I'm willing to start my 3 boys on J -- they will need to know the traditional notation to read books. But I do suspect that when it comes time for more complex thought I'll be using Iverson's books (Algebra and Calculus) to help me teach them. The power of immediate feedback on complex thoughts is HUGE. Math students have to learn to switch notations often. In my first abstract algebra course (group theory) the book depended on postfix operator notation -- something I've not seen since in any similar course. (Amusingly, and probably not coincidentally, the teacher used the Forth programming language to explain and explore some concepts.) -Wm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For information about J forums see http://www.jsoftware.com/forums.htm
