How to Spot Outcome-based Education

Math Quiz:

In 1960: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is four fifths the price. What is his profit?
In 1970 (traditional math): A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price; in other words $80. What is his profit?
In 1970 (new math): A logger exchanges set L of lumber for set M of money. The cardinality of set M is 100 and each element is worth $1. Make 100 dots representing the elements of set M. The set C of costs contains 20 fewer points than set M. Represent set C as a subset of set M, and answer the following question: What is the cardinality of the set P of profits?
In 1980. A logger sells a truckload of wood for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
In 1990 (Outcome-Based Education): By cutting down beautiful forest trees, a logger makes $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class discussion: How did the forest birds and squirrels feel?