The main ideas that I learned in the first session that I plan on making use of in my classroom are how mathematics is about playing, wondering and imaginations. Students should be playing games, solving puzzles and using their reasoning skills which are more natural mathematical experiences than being told how to do something. Students learn by doing, by having their own ideas, opinions and reactions, by being given a chance to be curious. They will learn far more this way than being told how to solve something. The article at the end of session 1 that framed music and art being taught the way mathematics is taught was really eye opening for me. It made me realise that there is definitely a different way that we could be teaching math. We need to ask better questions that are engaging and allow students to engage in the art of mathematics instead of telling them how things work and letting them plug the numbers in.
The main ideas that I learned in the second session are:
Brain plasticity - all students can achieve the highest levels in math with the right teaching and messages.
Fixed mindset vs growth mindset - how a fixed mindset holds students and teachers back from their potential and how a growth mindset can be developed through effective "mindset messages" and praise that inspires growth.
Also, just the fact that so much research backs up these claims yet it isn't being implemented despite it's significant findings.
I would like to foster a classroom of growth minded learners. It is so vitally important that all students believe that they are able to understand mathematical concepts despite their current abilities. It's exciting to know that research has shown that drastic changes in mindset (and the actual structure of the brain) can be made in as little as 3 weeks.
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