| So
why do some say they are dumb at math? Many have misconceptions about what
math entails. People have no trouble spending money, calculating sports
scores, getting to work (navigation) and daily problem solving. Which means
it's very likely that everyone is probably good at math and doesn't know
it.
Ken has been a school teacher (all levels), musician, actor, clown, speech therapist, private tutor to children with learning difficulties, teacher of English as a Second Language, and part-time teacher's college lecturer. Whilst teaching, he felt the system wasn't geared to math understanding. Somewhere along the way he realised the power of magic as a teaching tool. He now thinks of himself as a math-sharer, and his attitude and enthusiasm has people of all ages re-thinking the subject. One of Auckland's small number of full-time magicians, he circles the country with the MATHMAN! math/magic show, and he's getting quite dizzy. This is the show's eleventh year. Ken is also a sought-after speaker at parent/teacher and business groups, and math societies. At a recent NZ and Australian Maths Convention in Auckland, he was keynote banquet speaker. He stresses the need for everyone to feel confident with simple computing skills, with the message that Maths Gives You Power. In 1996 he was banquet speaker at the NZ Sceptics Conference. From 1993 through 1996 he was elected president of The NZ Society of Magicians. On weekends he reverts to his other hat, Magic Clown, and was resident strolling entertainment at Auckland's Expo Pavilion when it opened in 1990. He has since performed at countless birthdays, corporate Christmas parties and other outdoor events. As well as performing, Ken runs community centre after-school classes in magic and performance for 8 to 12 year olds. These prove very popular. In 1992 he received a Queen Elizabeth Arts Council Award to further this work. |