Introduction & First Class

Hello,

My name is Danielle, and I am a teacher candidate.  I am writing this blog for my I/S Teaching Mathematics course. 

Through this course, I hope to gain a better understanding of how to teach mathematics using various different methods.  As a future educator, I would like to help as many students as possible to understand the problem solving and strategies to succeed in math class, as well as in other aspects of their lives.



Found on http://www.mycutegraphics.com/graphics/owl/owl-with-ruler.html


What I learned in my first class:

Being able to understand mathematics is very different than being able to teach mathematics.  During my studies in mathematics, I have constantly practiced and demonstrated conceptual knowledge of mathematics; however, has a future educator, I is important to become aware or the procedural components involved.  i.e. it is important to understand and be able to explain the steps to get to a certain solution. 

As a math educator, we will be faced with a diverse group of students, each of whom carry with them their own unique perspectives and methods of solving math problems.  In order to know how to teach math, it is important to be open to new methods to sold problems, as well as be able to teach a certain concept in many different ways to ensure that students get the most out of a lesson. 

I think that students often get discouraged by math because they may think that they cannot do mathematics, however the problem may be because they do not understand the way the teacher presents a solution/ concept.  For this reason, teachers should constantly explore new ways to teach (i.e. with manipulatives, visuals, different approaches to a solution, etc. ), as well as take time to understand the various approaches students use to tackle a problem. 


I also think that teachers should constantly be communicating with their colleagues in order to gain tips/ ideas of how to help certain students.  i.e. It would be beneficial to know if a colleague taught a certain student using a certain method a that seemed to work positively for that student.  Similarly, if a teacher taught their class ne solution to solve a problem, and then the next year a different teacher used a completely different method, some students may end up confused and discouraged. 

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