Most of us probably remember math class in elementary school (and beyond) as quiet work time. Traditional instruction included the teacher giving a few examples of how to complete a calculation, followed by students sitting in silence and working problem after problem on a worksheet.
This might be one reason many of us say we don’t like math. Humans are naturally social, so having to sit and work alone when we really wanted to be talking with our friends made us dislike the subject. If you were one of the students who didn’t understand the problems on your sheet, that probably added to the dislike.
In recent years, there has been a shift in what math class looks like, or sounds like. According to a brief entitled, Benefits of Discussion, published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), research has shown that talking about ideas and mathematical thinking can increase student learning and motivate students. It can also help to create a community of learners, as opposed to the view that the teacher holds all the knowledge of math. Discussion can also support the teacher in understanding student thinking, which is important in correcting misconceptions and facilitating learning.
Think about it. Do you learn and understand best when you sit and think about something by yourself? Or does your understanding increase when you talk about it with someone else, or multiple someones?
As a math teacher and tutor, I am summoned frequently to give help on a problem. When I ask students to explain the problem and their thinking, many times they have a “light bulb moment” while talking to me. All it takes is for them to verbalize what’s happening for them to “see” a way to the solution and to increase their understanding without any help or guidance from me. I have had countless similar experiences with students of all ages, from elementary through college.
Throughout my academic and professional career, I have heard it said that you learn something best by teaching it. I would have to agree with this. I am constantly developing a deeper understanding of the concepts in mathematics just by teaching them. I learn a new way of seeing and understanding nearly every time I teach a class or help a student.
Want more information? Check out this webinar I viewed recently. The title is “What Happens When Teachers Talk Less and Students Talk More in Mathematics Class?” This webinar was presented by Education Week and the content was provided by the folks at Curriculum Associates. You will hear references to their curriculum programs, but the discussion is based on educational research. You can find the webinar here: Webinar
Today, I challenge you to think about a time when you learned through teaching, or when you increased your understanding of something by explaining your thinking to someone else. Your experience doesn’t have to involve math. I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
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