Blog #1

New Insights and Their Implications - What did you learn from your peers, from the instructor, and/or the readings, about elementary school students, and/or about yourself, and the teaching and learning of math and what are their implications to teaching and learning mathematics?

So far in this class I have learned many new perspectives on both approaching math concepts as well as teaching them. Throughout my schooling I have never really liked math. I think the majority of the blame for my dislike of the subject was my lack of confidence. I never thought I was good at math, therefore I never wanted to work on it. I realize that many students encounter the same problems. In this class I am learning to take a new approach when teaching math, which is to allow students to explore the problem before teaching them a specific way to complete it. In school I have always been taught a certain way and expected to follow the way I was shown. I do not believe this is the most effective way to teach math, however it may be difficult to learn a new way. I think my view of math in the past will help me to be a better teacher because I understand the frustration it may cause to a student. I understand that there are many different ways to teach and learn math, and I look forward to learning more new approaches!