Böcker av Dirk De Bock

The international New Math developments between about 1950 through 1980, are regarded by many mathematics educators and education historians as the most historically important development in curricula of the twentieth century. It attracted the attention of local and international politicians, of teachers, and of parents, and influenced the teaching and learning of mathematics at all levels--kindergarten to college graduate--in many nations. After garnering much initial support it began to attract criticism. But, as Bill Jacob and the late Jerry Becker show in Chapter 17, some of the effects became entrenched.This volume, edited by Professor Dirk De Bock, of Belgium, provides an outstanding overview of the New Math/modern mathematics movement. Chapter authors provide exceptionally high-quality analyses of the rise of the movement, and of subsequent developments, within a range of nations.The first few chapters show how the initial leadership came from mathematicians in European nations and in the United States of America. The background leaders in Europe were Caleb Gattegno and members of a mysterious group of mainly French pure mathematicians, who since the 1930s had published under the name of (a fictitious) "Nicolas Bourbaki." In the United States, there emerged, during the 1950s various attempts to improve U.S. mathematics curricula and teaching, especially in secondary schools and colleges. This side of the story climaxed in 1957 when the Soviet Union succeeded in launching "Sputnik," the first satellite. Undoubtedly, this is a landmark publication in education. The foreword was written by Professor Bob Moon, one of a few other scholars to have written on the New Math from an international perspective. The final "epilogue" chapter, by Professor Geert Vanpaemel, a historian, draws together the overall thrust of the volume, and makes links with the general history of curriculum development, especially in science education, including recent globalization trends.

The international New Math developments between about 1950 through 1980, are regarded by many mathematics educators and education historians as the most historically important development in curricula of the twentieth century. It attracted the attention of local and international politicians, of teachers, and of parents, and influenced the teaching and learning of mathematics at all levels¿kindergarten to college graduate¿in many nations. After garnering much initial support it began to attract criticism. But, as Bill Jacob and the late Jerry Becker show in Chapter 17, some of the effects became entrenched.This volume, edited by Professor Dirk De Bock, of Belgium, provides an outstanding overview of the New Math/modern mathematics movement. Chapter authors provide exceptionally high-quality analyses of the rise of the movement, and of subsequent developments, within a range of nations.The first few chapters show how the initial leadership came from mathematicians in European nations and in the United States of America. The background leaders in Europe were Caleb Gattegno and members of a mysterious group of mainly French pure mathematicians, who since the 1930s had published under the name of (a fictitious) ¿Nicolas Bourbaki.¿ In the United States, there emerged, during the 1950s various attempts to improve U.S. mathematics curricula and teaching, especially in secondary schools and colleges. This side of the story climaxed in 1957 when the Soviet Union succeeded in launching ¿Sputnik,¿ the first satellite. Undoubtedly, this is a landmark publication in education. The foreword was written by Professor Bob Moon, one of a few other scholars to have written on the New Math from an international perspective. The final ¿epilogue¿ chapter, by Professor Geert Vanpaemel, a historian, draws together the overall thrust of the volume, and makes links with the general history of curriculum development, especially in science education, including recent globalization trends.

After writing and publishing 5 books in the last 5 years, not mentioning the writing of previous 4 ones over several decades, one starts to believe that it's going well. In fact, it's certainly not that I need to complain, even though I must admit for this ninth book, ideas didn't pop-up just like it was happening before. However, this writing is in my blood and almost every day pieces have been submitted to my papers lying on my desk. Going over these short pieces adds up to a certain summary and taking a few parts away and adding new stuff, mostly results in a new poem. Of course while still using that other material for a next poem. Xlibris has been my publishing agency for my previous eight books, so I saw no particular reason why I should change this collaboration. I thank God for being on my side.

Tenth Book - Champaign No PainTen books, can you imagine! For me, it's more than a dream who becomes reality. I feel happy with this accomplishment and I certainly hope that you, my faithful readers, will also enjoy this newest book. In my opinion, every book is getting better, every time again. I can say, that no changes have been made to the arrangements of the poems, they are still written in my own familiar style. As always some new ideas came into my mind, some other perspectives, you can maybe call it, some kind of try outs. Every year brings other items to the front of my brain, to draw the conclusion, if you like my previous books, then you will certainly like this tenth one also. Xlibris has been the publisher of this 'Champaign No Pain', that is also my tenth book with Xlibris.

As I had mentioned before in my sixth book, I had already started my number 7. Writing becomes quite a habit, which I like very much of course. This seventh book feels rather fresh; many new ideas came up in my head. The poems are generally on handling lots of stuff.It''s not particularly soft like the fifth book, Never Give Up. On the other hand, it''s not as fierce and heavy as number 6, Stay Strong, was. It''s a unique collection of many repetitive poems-a style that I have improved a lot because I like writing like that even though it''s not always easy.The strength to keep on writing hasn''t left me even though bad experiences have been part of my life in 2017 and 2018 due to mistakes of other people who have robbed me in their smiling innocence. Writing makes me forget that many servicepeople aren''t good or willing to help you. But I believe in God.This seventh book, Higher Power, is also being published by Xlibris, as all the aforementioned.

I cant believe it myself, but this book, Stay Strong, is already the sixth one that I wrote. Also, this time, its a combination of fifty poems in English, plus one in French at the end of the book.I guess I have to face it; I cant stop now. So keep on writing is the message. Ill go forward to the next book, which will be the seventh one, of course. Dont worry; Ive already started on that seventh book.I have the feeling that the poems in Stay Strong are a bit heavier with more fierce language while the poems of book five, Never Give Up, were a bit softer and easier on the heart. For sure, it was the softest of them all, spoken in general terms, of course. While this book Stay Strong is just the opposite.My health has grown stronger, certainly after a last operation in April 2017, so that gave me more strength and willpower to go on.This means that this sixth book, Stay Strong, is also my sixth book that is being published by Xlibris.