Why Has Mathematics Instruction Changed?

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Why Has Mathematics Instruction Changed?

• Myths and Facts

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Myth Fact

• Some people just cant do math.

• Every adult and every child can do mathematics.

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Mathematics for All

• As society changes, schools need to respond to
  these changes and provide meaningful mathematics
  to ALL of our students, ALL of the time.

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Myth Fact

• Math takes place only in the classroom.

• Mathematical literacy is deeply embedded in the
  modern day workplace and in everyday life.

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Mathematics Everywhere

• To be successful in many occupations and to be
  able to function in todays technological world,
  students must be able to process and interpret
  data, communicate their understanding with others
  and be able to apply mathematical reasoning.

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Myth Fact

• Literacy is reading and writing.

• Literacy is far broader, including an
  understanding of graphs, tables, statistics,
  probability...

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Mathematical Literacy

• Mathematical literacy includes the ability to
  put mathematical knowledge and skills to
  functional use, and to pose and solve
  mathematical problems in a variety of situations.

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Links to Literacy
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Myth Fact

• Knowing number facts and procedural skills are no
  longer valued by teachers.

• Knowing number facts and procedural skills has
  become a smaller portion of the mathematics
  valued by teachers.

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Problem Solving

• Problem solving is the most important and
  challenging process in mathematics.

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Myth Fact

• Students learn math best through teacher-directed
  lessons.

• Students learn math best when they are active
  participants in the learning process.

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Active Learning

• Students are active individuals who construct,
  modify, and integrate ideas by interacting with
  the physical world, materials, and other
  students.
• NCTM, 1989, p.17

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Teachers Role

• The teachers role is to provide learning
  activities and create an environment that engages
  students, facilitating their development of
  mathematical concepts.

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Myth Fact

• Assessment should consist of tests and quizzes.

• Assessment should include a variety of journals,
  portfolios, performance tasks, projects, quizzes,
  tests, observations.

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Assessment of Learning

• A student is assessed on how well he or she
  solves problems, shows understanding of concepts,
  applies mathematical procedures, and communicates
  required knowledge.

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Assessment for Learning

• Teachers need to observe students as they do
  mathematics, reflect on student responses,
  provide oral feedback to students, and adjust
  instruction based on these observations.

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Myth Fact

• The use of calculators will have a negative
  impact on students math skills

• When used appropriately, calculators improve
  computation skills.

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Myth or Fact?

• Manipulatives are for young children.

• Manipulatives help connect abstract thought to
  something tangible ---
• for learners of ALL ages.

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