Summary & Synthesis

For the past few weeks in math methods we have been discussing the CGI approach (Cognitively Guided Instruction). It is similiar to the reformed based math, in which new teachers are encouraged to use in their classrooms, however, several teachers dont use this beneficial approach. We learned that some of the assumptions of CGI are that students' use multiple "roads" of learning to find their solutions and that most of their solutions are developed by means of their own approaches. When using the CGI approach, the instructor acts as more of a facilitator, rather than an instructor who shares strategies and ideas with the students'. Key components of the CGI program are that students' share the different approaches in which they use with their peers and that students' are given plenty of time to thoughtfully think through and solve their problem. It is extremely important that instructors give students' that "wait time", because a lot of students hesitate to state their problem solving strategy. I feel that CGI is an approach I want to use in my future classroom and will without a doubt benefit from. Teachers need to stray away from the traditional style of teaching and allow students to "think" for themselves. By using the traditional style of teaching teachers' are depriving students of their own learning and creating learned helplessness. I am looking forward to implementing this approach (CGI) into my future classroom.