In this weeks class we learned about the importance of different algorithms with respect to math. It is important to get a rational understanding of why we got the answer we did as well as how we got the answer we did. The assessment for, as, and of learning are crucial to see and understand how students learn. All students don't learn in the same way and it is important to get students collaborating and discussing how they think in order to appeal to different learning styles and techniques. Students can understand that there are different methods to solving a problem and that the method they may use in one situation varies from another. Students understand that math is meaningful and it is everywhere. Getting students excited and involved in their math experience means that it becomes more enjoyable and students begin to love math rather than dread coming to class every day. It is important to note that students learn from each other and in various ways when teaching students math content and how to solve problems.
The images above demonstrate that there are many ways to solve a problem in math and some students may understand how to get it right away while others are more visual learners and need to break down the problem visually. The second photo really appealed to me because I myself am a visual learner and I can begin to see how a student will understand what multiplication really means by seeing how it is broken down into parts. Students should not cry while filling out multiplication tables at home because they are struggling to complete them but rather use multiplication as a simplification tool just so they don't get bogged down in numbers. Multiplication has many meanings and it can be thought of as repeated addition, counting of equal groups, or objects in array. Thinking of multiplication as an area of a rectangle is a brilliant way to visualize a concept that many students may just think of as numbers at first. It is important to understand the meaning of multiplication before they simply just memorize a table and move on.
Students need to see math as sensible and useful in their daily lives. Good math problems involve relatable material such as holidays, sports, and material they are interested in such as super heroes or pokemon. A good math problem is one where any student can get started regardless of their comfort level in math and is something they can expand or build upon. Good math problems often have more than one answer or at least multiples ways of achieving a solution. Open problems are the key to any student getting involved in math and interested in developing their math skills
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Hi Carla, I love this reflection on the work we completed in class. I hear much of what I discovered of myself as a Mathematician in your reflection: the fact that there are multiple ways to bring about a conclusion in problem solving, and we are rewarded for using those multiple ways! I also appreciated that you linked it to the fact that Math is happening all around us, at all times, everyday: whether we are aware or not. I agree with you, that if we continue to teach kids Math in a way that privileges their learning styles, and show the applicability, they are going to continue using math skills, even when they don't know it!
ReplyDeleteHi Carla,
ReplyDeleteI like your reflection especially when you comment on how “students need to see math as sensible and useful in their daily lives”. I think this is an area that really lacked in many of the math texts I have seen and used myself. By acknowledging the idea that math is an everyday aspect of our lives, it should motivate us to use the real life examples and apply it in classes to help the students personally relate to the example. It will help them see how they will be able to use those math algorithms in their own life as they continue to grow up. By making it more relatable, it allows students to become more motivated to seek for a solution to the problem and reflect about how they will be able to continue to apply math to simplify their lives.
Hey Carla,
ReplyDeleteI really liked your reflection for this week. I totally agree with the idea that "all students don't work in the same way". This is crucial when teaching math because a math teacher needs to be open to different methods and formulas for solving problems. As well, I like your idea about groupwork and collaboration. This can promote student to student learning and encourage students to think outside of their comfort zones. Some of the best ways our students can learn is from each other. I can also relate to your post because like yourself, I too am a visual learner. I had an "ah ha" moment when Pat broke down the multiplication question into different parts. I feel that many students are visual learners like yourself and I and it is important to provide them with the tools they need in order to be successful. Whether that is with manipulatives or breaking down the problem step by step in order to figure out the correct solution.Great blog post this week!
Cheers, Courtney