New Insights and Their Implications

During the first couple weeks of class it has been very interesting. I am finding that I really enjoy this class and the approach that is being taken to teaching it. Instead of having us write 20 lesson plans to cover math concepts in what we think is a deep concept, we really have taken a step back and uncovered a completely new layer here. I can safely bet that most of my peers in this class, including myself, were taught math from projector transparencies, examples, and worksheets galore. This class is making me rethink about all of the other lesson plans I have written. Did I really achieve my objectives, or do I just think I did? I like the activities and discussions we have had thus far. The article that we read the other day about math anxiety being learned from the same sexes was astounding to me, and the fact that nearly 90% of elementary teachers are female. But, it really does start to make sense because how can we teach what we don't know? How are the kids supposed to know what we as teachers, don't even know? So, I really have enjoyed this class and I really am looking forward to the rest of the semester. I think this will enhance all of our teaching philosophies greatly!

New Insights and their implications

From the first few weeks of class I have learned a new approach to teaching mathematics or how to teach mathematics though problem solving. I currently feel that I could teach problem solving in a variety of ways, when previously my knowledge on this concept was not very good. Because I now have a strong understanding of problem solving I feel it is very important to implement in the classroom. Our in class readings and class discussions have helped me to gain knowledge and skills on problem solving as a method of teaching. I also learned that problem solving is a “way of teaching” and that when done correctly students really learn the material in depth. We also learned that there are several factor that influence problem solving and that there is no one-way to teach it. From the in class quizzes, I have learned that in order to meet the student where they are at in their mathematical knowledge, is important for teachers, when selecting activities for problem solving task, to choose activities that have multiple "entry points” allow student to solve their own problems.

New Insights and their Implications

I have already learned a lot through just a couple of times we have had class. I guess what I first thought of math was what I was taught in grade school up to some of my college courses, which was to me was a regurgitation of the text back to the teacher with either a quiz or a test. But I think about the implications of just regular teaching to students and I can see the draw backs. I think with the help of the Timms testing we have learned that we are lacking in focus, reasoning, coherence, and sense making. I have found why students need to know this to be successful in math for a life time. I have also learned a lot about problem solving in a classroom and I think I will have one to two models of problem solving hanging up in my classroom. I think students need to know the required steps of solving a problem and also that there isn’t clearly one way of solving a problem. I think overall I have a better concept of thinking about math more constructively and I also believe that at times the STATE standards suck.

Blog #1

Personal Concerns and Next Steps - You may blog about genuine personal concerns created as a result of the experiences in this course. (Please note: If you blog on this item be sure to provide sound rationale for your concerns and what steps you are planning to pursue to address your concerns. This is not an opportunity to vent, be constructive and professional about it. Don't complain about something unless you offer a better alternative or solution.)

So far in this course, I am concerned with my own personal skills in math and whether that will translate well into a grade or my ability to teach mathematics to my future students. I personally have no faith in my abilities in math and at some points; I am scared to even try for fear of failure. I have had an anxiety toward math since I was little. I will also admit that I was fearful of even beginning this class considering my past relationship with mathematics. To address my concerns, I am going to do my best in this class and try to take in as much information and ideas as I can in order to allow my future students to have a better chance of success and more positive feelings toward mathematics. I resolve to take the assignments, readings, and activities one step at a time and ask for help if I it’s needed. I feel if I take an optimistic attitude toward the class I might find a chance for myself to become competent in math methods and even being to enjoy it to some extent.

Blog January 31st

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?

It becomes increasingly evident as we delve further into the semester, that teaching mathematics has to be understood and explained with a broad interpretation. As I speak with my peers, we all have a similar inclination to teach but we all learn material by a variety of methods. I understood that potential students need to have an educator who does not divulge every technique but trains a student to actively seek for a path to a solution. Professor Reins made a very valid point the previous class session. He made the remark that state standards should play a role in how one should teach but is not the absolute reference guide. Standards should be carried out with an emphasis on broadening a mathematical concept. The reasoning is that students need to know the background knowledge of the material and not just a limited amount of highlights that lack transition into other topics. I find that this class will greatly enhance the manner in which I educate. In addition, I feel that this course should have been presented to education majors before or during the math concept classes. The perspective not only teaches one how to explain mathematics, but it also gives a student more a comfortable approach to executing unfamiliar math.

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!

Insights and Concerns

Adapting to change is an important skill to acquire. I love the fact that everything we are leaning in these methods classes compliments each other towards shaping our very own teaching philosophy! We have been talking a lot about the importance of shifting the balance of classroom power from the teachers to the students; the teachers' serve as guides in the students' learning not just individuals that bark the steps of mathematical computations and demand the students to repeat. We've been talking about how the South Dakota standards are vague; they're too broad being a mile wide and an inch deep of content. If you try to focus on teaching everything then nothing is really important.
Now how is this going to affect my teaching abilities? I believe if my school district adopts an outdated textbook curricilum for math, I will be faced with the biggest challenge of all time. We have been introduced to the NCTM's National Standards which emphasizes the importance of incorporating national standards with state standards in order to develop a decent lesson to teach. I was never really good with mathematics as I have been to the math trailer countless times throughout grade school. I believe that in order to be successful in this class and future classrooms, I am going to have to be vigilant and persistent in applying higher level thinking and reasoning skills in my lessons!

Blog 1

New Insights and their Implications

Just in the short time that I have been in this class, I already have a new perspective in math. I am beginning to understand that there are many more ways than I was aware of to teaching math and I realize that I need to learn these methods in order to be an excellent math teacher. I typically get very frustrated with math but I think that by learning these methods I will be able to be confident with what I am doing and hopefully portray that in my future classroom. I look forward to the variety of things that I will be learning and strengthening my math skills.

Blog 1: New Insights and Their Implications

To begin thinking about math in a new and more efficient manner, especially the ways in which it is taught, is challenging to say the least. I believe that the last few class periods of this semester have really begun to push me to try and become more positive towards the field of mathematics. Also, I have attempted to open myself up to considering different ways of teaching the content which can be especially difficult because of the more traditional ways in which I was taught as an elementary student. The instructor and the ideas/activities he has presented the class have stretched us to consider problem solving and other staple concepts of math to a much greater depth than what is currently being taught many students of the United States even today. As the country lags behind in math scores on the international spectrum, teachers and federal officials alike are concerned about the lack of progress America has been making in the classroom. It will be our job as future educators to make a difference, which, as stated before, will be a challenge in and of itself because of our lack of background knowledge in the ways in which we are expected to teach math.

New Insights and Their Implications

So far from this class we are learning about a new approach to teaching mathematics, where the teacher is not providing the students with all the concepts and formulas. Instead, the students are participating in activities where they solve problems and discover the concepts and formulas themselves. This is a hard adjustment to make in prior thinking of what mathematics education is like, and can be frustrating for the students. However, when the light bulb goes off and things start to click for the student's, that's when the method proves itself. I think that when I am teaching in my own classroom I would like for my students to solve their own problems and be the facilitators to their own learning. I am worried though that it may be difficult to encourage students to keep trying and for them to not get discouraged.