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How Should We Teach Mathematics?

How Should We Teach Mathematics?. Dr. Eric Milou Rowan University Department of Mathematics milou@rowan.edu 856-256-4500 x3876. Overview. Conceptual vs. Procedural Debate Activities and Examples NJ mathematics assessments. Rhetoric NY Times (5/15/06).

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How Should We Teach Mathematics?

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  1. How Should We Teach Mathematics? Dr. Eric Milou Rowan University Department of Mathematics milou@rowan.edu 856-256-4500 x3876

  2. Overview • Conceptual vs. Procedural Debate • Activities and Examples • NJ mathematics assessments

  3. RhetoricNY Times (5/15/06) • In traditional math, children learn multiplication tables and specific techniques for calculating. • In constructivist math, the process by which students explore the question can be more important than getting the right answer, and the early use of calculators is welcomed.

  4. Motivating Factors for Change • Society’s hate for mathematics that is prevalent and acceptable • 4 out of 10 adults hate mathematics* (twice as many people said they hated math as said that about any other subject) • International test scores • Industry concerns (no problem solving skills) • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards *2005 AP-AOL News poll

  5. Compute the following: 4 x 9 x 25 900 - 201 50 ÷ 1/2

  6. What’s “Typical?” in US

  7. Third International Math & Science Study (TIMSS) Proceduresvs. Concepts

  8. Stated vs Developed

  9. Lesson Study • Demonstrates a procedure • Assigns similar problems to students as exercises • Homework assignment • Presents a problem without first demonstrating how to solve it • Individual or group problem solving • Compare and discuss multiple solution methods • Summary, exercises and homework assignment

  10. What is Prevalent? • Texts become the curriculum • Drill oriented • Mathematics is BORING and does not engage students • Mathematics Phobia and Anxiety

  11. Standards Based Approach • Conceptual Understanding • Contextual Problem Solving • Constructivist Approach • Appropriate use of Calculators & Technology

  12. We need a BALANCE • Traditional text with conceptual supplement • Conceptual text (EM, CMP, Core-Plus) with computational supplement

  13. Conceptual Understanding • 24 ÷ 4 = 6 • 24 ÷ 3 = 8 • 24 ÷ 2 =12 • 24 ÷ 1 = 24 • 24 ÷ 1/2 = ??

  14. Fractions - Conceptually The F word More than 1 or Less than 1 Explain your reasoning

  15. Which is larger? • 2/3 + 3/4 + 4/5 + 5/6 OR 4 • 12.5 x 45 OR 4.5 x 125 • 1/3 + 2/4 + 2/4 + 5/11 OR 2

  16. Where’s the Point? • 2.43 x 5.1 = 12393 • 4.85 x 4.954 = 240269 • 21.25 x 1.08 = 2295 • 1.25 x 64 = 80 • 4.688 x 1.355 = 635224 • 46.88 x 1.355 = 635224 • 4.688 x 135.5 = 635224 • 46.88 x 13.55 = 635224

  17. Computational Balance • 1000 ÷ 1.49 • Torture • Big Macs Sell for $1.49, how many Big Macs can I buy for $10.00? • 1 is $1.50 • 2 are $3 • 4 are $6 • 6 are $9 Mental Mathematics is a vital skill

  18. Computation is Important • Engaging & Active • Less passive worksheets • Creative! • More thinking & reasoning

  19. Name That Number - Computational Practice Target #: 6 3 3 17 1 8

  20. Active Computation • Fifty • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and addition only

  21. Conceptual & Contextual • 8+ 7 = ? • How do we teach this? x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

  22. 17 - 8 = 0 17 / / 1 7 - 8 2 7 8 --> --> 10 --> --> --> --> --> --> --> 17

  23. 1000 - 279 = ? 279 +1 = 280 + 20 = 300 +700 = 1000

  24. Multiplication • 13 x 17 = ? 10 7 2 10 3 1 3 x 1 7 1 0 0 7 0 ------- 3 0 2 1 9 1 1 3 0 ------- 2 2 1 221

  25. Conceptual approach leads to ? • Algebra: (x + 3) (x + 7) = x 7 x 3 x2 7x 3x 21

  26. Contextual Problem Solving • Not more traditional word problems • Placing mathematical lessons into settings • Giving students a reason to learn the skill • Motivating students

  27. Example • You must select one spinner. Both spinners above will be spun once. • The spinner with the higher number showing wins $1,000,000 for that person. • Which spinner will you select?

  28. Spinner Example 4 5 6 5 8 5 4 9 6 9 8 9

  29. Constructivist Approach • Allow students to develop their own meanings in mathematics first, then build on those meanings. • ENGAGE students to be active learners with hands-on cooperative learning activities

  30. Crossing the River • 8 adults and 2 children need to cross a river and they have one small boat only available. The boat can hold ONLY: • One adult • One or two children • How many one-way trips does it take for all 8 adults and 2 children to cross?

  31. Factor Game

  32. Calculators & Technology • Calculators allowed on 100% of GEPA & HSPA • Calculators allowed on 90% of the points on the NJASK3 & 4 • Calculators allowed on 100% of the SAT • BSI and Special Education should be even more strongly encouraged to use calculators

  33. NSF funded curriculum projects • Elementary: Everyday Math, Investigations, and Trailblazers • Middle: Connected Math, Math-in-Context, MathThematics, & MathScapes • High School: IMP, Core-Plus, SIMMS, Arise, & CPM

  34. Research • USDOE Exemplary & Promising mathematics programs (1999) • Standards-Based School Mathematics Curricula, edited by Senk & Thompson, published by LEA (2003)

  35. Success Factors • Teachers (what they know, believe and do) • Teachers Professional Development and Ongoing Support • Administrative support • Time on mathematics

  36. Professional Development • Intensive, Sustained, and Ongoing • 60 PD hours for new curriculum • Content knowledge focused • Pedagogical demonstrations • Lesson Study

  37. 2006 NJ Assessment Data • NJASK3 • 6 non-calculator items (1/2 pt each) • 21 MC - calculator allowed - 1 pt each • 3 Open-ended - 3 pts each • 14 out of 33 points is a passing score

  38. 2006 NJ Assessment Data • NJASK4 • 8 non-calculator items (1/2 pt each) • 24 MC - calculator allowed - 1 pt each • 5 Open-ended - 3 pts each • 17.5 out of 43 points is a passing score

  39. 2006 NJASK 5, 6, 7 • NJASK5 JPM was 18/39 (46%) • NJASK 6 JPM was 17/39 (44%) • NJASK 7 JPM was 13/39 (33%) • 10 pts per cluster (one cluster with 9 pts)

  40. 2006 NJ Assessment Data • GEPA • All items allow a calculator • 30 Multiple choice items - 1 pt each • 6 Open-ended - 3 pts each • 25 out of 48 points is a passing score

  41. 2006 NJ Assessment Data • HSPA • All items allow a calculator • 30 Multiple choice items - 1 pt each • 6 Open-ended - 3 pts each • 20.5 out of 48 points is a passing score

  42. Assessments Points by Cluster

  43. Assessments Points by Cluster

  44. Implications & Inferences • NJ Assessments are rigorous and conceptual • NJ Math Standards are well aligned with NJ assessments • Most districts have a well aligned curriculum • Then, what’s wrong?

  45. Typical Questions • What’s wrong with these kids? • Why won’t they buckle down and get serious? • Why aren’t they supported at home? • Why aren’t the 1st and 2nd grade teachers preparing them?

  46. Changing the Questions • What will students likely take away from the activity? • How is the mathematical idea developed? • What is the nature of the work of students? • What is the role of the teacher?

  47. Characteristics of a good mathematics program • CONCEPTUAL • CONTEXTUAL • CONSTUCTIVISM • COMPUTATION • TEST-PREP

  48. Thank You Dr. Eric Milou Rowan University milou@rowan.edu

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