Thursday, January 31, 2008
New Insights and Their Implications- Blog #1
We have only had about 5 class periods of math, but I have learned so much in just a few short weeks. Not only have I learned about a new way of teaching math, but I also have a new sense of how to learn math myself. I have had a fear of math, and a fear of teaching math, yet slowly but surely that fear is disappearing. The new way of teaching math, through problem solving, makes math more understandable, and it also gives it a better sense of purpose to learning mat. I can remember when learning math I would continue to ask myself, “Why do I need this?” and saying “I’m never going to use this”. I hear that from a lot of students when talking about math, and that is really too bad. I also think teaching math through problem solving helps students to become better problem solvers in other areas of their schooling and their lives, such as when reading books or building projects in shop class. I really like the use of having students think about problems and come up with ways to solve that problem, before talking about how to do the problem. I think that this helps students to activate their brains and dig down deep to find an answer. I am looking forward to learning more about this new (to me any way) teaching style and also look forward to using it in my classroom!
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I can relate to Nichole in the way she has felt about math. I have always struggled with math in school. Math Concepts I started the process of opening my eyes to see math in a new way and it seems that this class has picked up from where my first concepts class stopped. The way I have been taught math my whole life is the reason why I am still very scared to teach and learn math. Whenever, I would ask why in math classes I would always get because that's they way it is. It is refreshing to hear that questioning math is ok and encouraged. I know that I often questioned it because theories and formulas were never explained. I have never had the formula for area taught in they way we have been shown in class. I think students will respond to this way of teaching. Understanding where a formula comes from helps build a students knowledge base. I am looking forward to learning more about Dr. Reins way of teaching math. It truly is a new way of looking at math for me!
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