Philosophy of teaching mathematics
Mathematics is a universal language that opens the door to many discoveries. It provides humanity with the means to think critically and solve problems with accuracy and efficiency. Mathematics should never be classified as boring because it applies to the world around us. This is what education needs to reflect in its students. The purpose of teaching mathematics is to provide students with experiences that will promote learning of key skills. These skills go beyond conceptual understanding. Through a strong mathematics education, students will develop critical thinking, strategic competence, and adaptive reasoning.
Students are only able to obtain new knowledge by linking it to prior knowledge. It is important to apply the material in the curriculum to students’ interests and experiences. A teacher can design lessons that apply personal interests with the curriculum to increase student engagement as well as success. For example, a clip from a video game or an athlete pitching a baseball can be used to create a function that can be graphed and solved algebraically. Learning experiences that are inquiry-based will allow the environment to become student-centered. These experiences are useful especially when students need to solve a word problem or provide mathematical reasoning to an explanation. Inquiry-based instruction increases critical thinking, strategic competence, and adaptive reasoning. It also provides a sense of accomplishment for the student to solve the problem themselves, rather than a teacher providing the answer. Collaborative learning models, such as a jigsaw or a team-based game, will allow students to work together. When students share ideas and help struggling students, the classroom gains unity.
Technology should be incorporated to increase student engagement and to ensure that the mathematical content is authentic. Software such as Wolfram Mathematica and Geogebra can create elements of math that would be difficult or time-consuming to demonstrate by hand. For example, Wolfram Mathematica can create mathematical models to show graphs of complex functions to show real world applications of functions as well as infer trends in data. Geogebra can be used to create geometric constructions that can be manipulated to show properties and prove theorems. Other pieces of technology can be useful to improve student connection, such as Google Classroom and Nearpod. Both websites can be used to deliver instruction and assessment in a way that benefits student engagement and ability. Technology can be implemented to differentiate instruction by providing students with multiple resources to learn the material in a variety of ways.
A mathematics classroom should always provide students with authentic learning experiences that creates challenges to increase student ability and skill. This can be accomplished with inquiry and collaborative learning models that deliver meaningful learning experiences. Technology should be incorporated to ensure student engagement and success. A classroom that implements these ideas and principles will provide its students opportunities to develop critical thinking, strategic competence, and adaptive reasoning. These are the key elements mathematics provides the world.
Students are only able to obtain new knowledge by linking it to prior knowledge. It is important to apply the material in the curriculum to students’ interests and experiences. A teacher can design lessons that apply personal interests with the curriculum to increase student engagement as well as success. For example, a clip from a video game or an athlete pitching a baseball can be used to create a function that can be graphed and solved algebraically. Learning experiences that are inquiry-based will allow the environment to become student-centered. These experiences are useful especially when students need to solve a word problem or provide mathematical reasoning to an explanation. Inquiry-based instruction increases critical thinking, strategic competence, and adaptive reasoning. It also provides a sense of accomplishment for the student to solve the problem themselves, rather than a teacher providing the answer. Collaborative learning models, such as a jigsaw or a team-based game, will allow students to work together. When students share ideas and help struggling students, the classroom gains unity.
Technology should be incorporated to increase student engagement and to ensure that the mathematical content is authentic. Software such as Wolfram Mathematica and Geogebra can create elements of math that would be difficult or time-consuming to demonstrate by hand. For example, Wolfram Mathematica can create mathematical models to show graphs of complex functions to show real world applications of functions as well as infer trends in data. Geogebra can be used to create geometric constructions that can be manipulated to show properties and prove theorems. Other pieces of technology can be useful to improve student connection, such as Google Classroom and Nearpod. Both websites can be used to deliver instruction and assessment in a way that benefits student engagement and ability. Technology can be implemented to differentiate instruction by providing students with multiple resources to learn the material in a variety of ways.
A mathematics classroom should always provide students with authentic learning experiences that creates challenges to increase student ability and skill. This can be accomplished with inquiry and collaborative learning models that deliver meaningful learning experiences. Technology should be incorporated to ensure student engagement and success. A classroom that implements these ideas and principles will provide its students opportunities to develop critical thinking, strategic competence, and adaptive reasoning. These are the key elements mathematics provides the world.