Learning math instead of computations
To suggest implicitly that there are two opposing views of how math should be taught is to create a false dilemma. There are many different perspectives on how mathematics should be taught, and some of them have not even been tried on any significant scale yet.
KevinVu says:
Tks for sharing.
July 21, 2014 — 3:55 am
Howard Phillips says:
Running the risk of carrying coals to Newcastle (English expression) here is Dan Meyer’s find:
http://blog.mrmeyer.com/2014/your-mid-week-must-read-why-do-americans-stink-at-math/
To see the eight approaches as alternatives is I think a mistake. To see learning how to do “sums” as bad is a mistake. The idea that anyone can be converted to the “new ways” as on the Road to Damascus, is optimistic, to say the least. Imposition of the new ways is a really bad mistake. The one to one conversion step by step has the best chance. It may take 20 years, but that is not a lot considering how long this problem has been around. Besides, nobody gets converted to anything unless they begin to see, and feel, the benefits, both to the kids AND to themselves.
July 25, 2014 — 5:53 am
David Wees says:
I agree completely Howard. I think we should be developing structures which aim for long term change. As for the challenge to adopting new ideas, see my most recent post.
July 26, 2014 — 6:16 pm
E. Guckenheimer says:
This conversation has been taking place for at least 60 years, and the vast majority of “expert” math educators have been white and Asian men. Until we understand how to make mathematics and mathematics education more inclusive, and dare I say it, friendlier to those not yet labelled “mathematicians”, there will be little change. By nature, mathematics should belong to everyone. And yet it feels like ownership and expertise are limited to the same crowd that has always had possession. To change this will be the real break from tradition. Are you up to the challenge?
http://allmalepanels.tumblr.com/
September 16, 2015 — 2:00 pm
David Wees says:
This is such a good point Elizabeth. Interestingly enough, at the time of posting this list of videos, I had little exposure to any mathematics experts in my work. Obviously the field of people who have their work elevated to the public sphere is biased, as was I for not even noticing my glaring omission of any women from this list. Now most of my deeper collaborations and people that I learn from are women, which makes sense given that most people in the field of education are women.
So it seems that I should really update this list of videos and find a more representative group of people.
September 20, 2015 — 9:38 pm