Mathematics is a study of numbers. It is a broad topic encompassing many aspects. Ranging from adding and subtracting numbers to solving multivariable equations. Mathematics is used in everyday lives from research to grocery shopping. Mathematics is used by everyone!
2. How do I learn mathematics best?
I best learn mathematics by doing examples. Doing them repeatedly, over and over again. I personally like to watch the teacher explain it then work on my homework right away while it is fresh in my head. I usually don't have enough time to get it all done right away so I then have to return to it later to test my memory. It works for me!
3. How will my students best learn mathematics?
I am thinking they will best learn similar to how I learn. I will show them how to do the subject making sure to have plenty of examples. Also making sure to use plenty of different ways of explaining the topic so as to best help everyone in the class. Then i will give them homework to practice what they have learned. after all... practice makes perfect.
4. What are some current practices in school mathematics classrooms that promote students' learning of mathematics?
Mathematics classrooms are equipped with several devices to help enhance the learning experience. The basics include marker boards and overheads, calculators, computers, books, etc... but now we have even more ways to help such as smartboards, overhead calculators, etc. I believe personally that if the teacher has a love for math and a great desire to teach it that students can tell and are more open to learning. so i personally believe the greatest tool a teacher can have is their attitude.
5. What are some current practices in school mathematics classrooms that are detrimental to students' learning of mathematics?
As i mentioned before, the teachers attitude. If the teacher is being negative and not willing to help, the student in turn is not going to want to be an active participant nor will they be willing to put the time necessary to learning mathematics into they schedule.
I think another practice would be to only teach in a way that you understand. It is important to remember everyone has their own unique learning style. It is important as a teacher to try and teach things several different ways so as to try and reach each of those learning types.
I liked a lot of what you had to say. I agree that repitition is important for learning, especially in math. And I often learn things better if I do part of an assignment and finish it later on. I think that having a great attitude towards math as a teacher is important as well; however, I think its a bold claim to say that it is the "greatest tool a teacher can have". I don't want to rag on any of the professors at BYU, but I have had professors that really enjoy math, and yet, they are not very good professors. I think that the most important part of a teachers attitude is centered on their desire for students to learn. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot that you had to say. One thing that I really agreed with is your point 5. I think the teacher's attitude has a lot to do with learning. There is nothing more frustrating, and somewhat pathetically - more hurtful than a teacher not responding to you in a positive way. Most of the time when one needs this most - is when they don't understand! At least that is how it is for me. So I completely agree with that idea.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could think about your 4th point. It is very true - all of those items are things that help teach math. Yet, the part I wonder about is, how much are they really helping? Sometimes I wonder if the technology we have at our fingertips is hurting our learning abilities. I find myself often turning to my calculator for simple problems. I generally catch myself, and feel bad that I even thought about using a calculator for that! What I am trying to say is, it is just interesting to think about this. Even more, it makes me think about the rules I will set in my classroom with the use of technology as an aid.
I really like what you said in point two. I think learning by multiple examples is a great way to really get a hold on a certain topic in math.
ReplyDeleteI agree that when a teacher only teaches according to their favorite style it becomes harder for the class to learn. It was always terrible to get stuck in a math class and the teacher only taught the ones who got it easily. A teacher should have to get a little outside their comfort zone in order to help every student.
Does math always involve numbers?
ReplyDeleteWhen you do examples and homework do you understand conceptually why you are doing that? I often find that I can do the math just fine by following the example and the given algorithm, but I have no idea why it works. One example of that for me is before I took MthEd 117 I had no problem dividing fractions, but I really had no idea why the invert and multiply rule worked. What is our goal when we teach mathematics? Do we just want students to get through the problems and do the procedures to get the right answers, or do we want them to understand why it works and be able to reason through new problems?
I agree that having a good attitude as a teacher is super important.