MATH

These are the feedback from the students' journal after my first math 'lecture' today. I put inverted commas, 'cos it wasn't a TYPICAL lecture, as you can gauge from the students' responses.

Am pleased about the outcome. More work to do!

Students Journal/Feedback
DPTF09/Day 1/Session 1/040405

Write ONE thing that you have learned that is new to you.
(You may write more if you wish. J)

1. Mathematics is learnt through creativity. There is no fix way of getting an answer. Teacher should not be particular of how the child get its way of knowing the answer of a problem sum but giving them the free hand to explore in creativity. l

2. The one thing that I learned today, is that:
Math can be solved creatively!

3. Math requires creativity!
And I had it! Hooray!

4. I believe that Math is just not numbers alone and getting the right answers. It is a process of thinking creatively and getting the right answer is not the motive. It’s how we derive at the product. The word HOW here is very important. An understanding of the concept is essential in order for a child to have an interest in Maths. Therefor the process of doing it is important. We must allow the child to question and think and that is something new that I learnt. Their way of thinking and questioning is important to be documented so that we will be creative teachers.

5. One of the things that I’ve learned in this session is that mathematics can be explored in many exciting ways. It promotes not only logical thinking but also creativity.

6. One thing that I have learned from this lesson that is new to me, is that Mathematics involved creativity. For as long as I live, I believe that Mathematics only requires logical thinking. But the ‘square example’ prove me wrong.

7. I learnt that the way the lecturer teaches the class is an great idea. I like the ways she teaches. Let the students discuss among themselves and let them engage with the math problem. This would let them really go into thinking and make them work out the answer.

8. I always believe that Maths need logic to solve, but now I know that creativity helps, and will better understand, and better solve the problem in an easier method! Now I will remember to use my brain more, twist and turn to find better, easier, creative ways for Maths. Cheers to Maths!

9. I have learned on how to teach pre-school children mathematics in the creative way, without making them bored. I believe this is new tome as I have been teaching (tutoring) primary school kids using assessment books. So, creativity is important! –

i) To allow ample communication, exchange of ideas and sharing of
solutions before the giving the student the answer prematurely.

ii) This method is good for motivating the child and engaging them.
Helps children to think and not just wait for the answer from the teacher.

iii) Develops independence as the child learns to use his or her own method of
thinking to solve problems.

iv) Develops positive self-esteem when the child could solve the problem on his own.

v) Learning becomes two-way communication between the teacher and student, as well as between students and students.



11. I certainly look at Maths a different way. That’s the reason I am in this course – to teach new things that I have never know. The traditional way of understanding Math concept is different from what is taught in today’s education system. The problem solving brings students to another level of thinking process.

One thing new to me:
I always think that one need to be good at calculating to be good at Math. I am good in both of them so I have always assume both are relating factors. However, from today’s lesson, I realized that this is not true. One can be good at math yet not as good at calculating.

12. The new thing I learnt today is that mathematics must make sense and Maths classes or sessions should be interactive. Mathematics involves the process of thinking and that leads to different approaches.

13. There is a very quick ways to solve problems. On the diagram which is squares and circles, I was awed by how easily we can actually derive to solving it. Creativity helps in Math solving is very new to me.

14. “Maths” is about helping the brain think of problem solving methods, explore ways of learning, trial and error, new ways to learn/solve. It’s logic and creativity together.

New to me:

2 ) 242
171
_____
2)242
---
---



15. I learned that manipulatives itself does not teach Math. It has to be used constructively with the guidance of teachers or other adults. Leaving children with manipulatives will not help them at all. Instead they may end up abusing its functions. Constructive use can indeed improve their math skills.

16. I heard that it was P4 Q. But still it seems that it’s not easy going for us adults to come with the correct answer.

17. I love the methodology used for assessing the disposition in regards to maths concept.

Being a lady of words, it is quite difficult to teach Maths in a fun and creative way. From young, our Gurus (parents. Teachers, peers) taught maths using the rod method. Just learn the concept by hard and apply.

However, the way you gave the 2 squares and a circle to calculate the number of units was very good. So lets getting the knowledge the children understand, document their progress, this way the teacher is able to assess the child’s developmental level, and how to push the child forward.

Love to know of more of other creative skills that I could and be used for preschoolers from your coming lessons.

Thanks.



18. I’ve learned that there’re many ways to solve Math and I must be creative when doing Math.

19. I’ve learned that if students were challenged to think about solving a problem and encouraged to participate, he/she will be motivated to learn especially if scaffolding and hints are provided throughout the whole process.

20. The new thing I learnt from today’s lesson that Maths emphasize the importance of process. So far I thought that it is only about product.

21. It’s a totally different ways and methods of learning Maths. I totally enjoyed her lesson as it reminded me of my school days. I love Maths. As for this class, Dot made it more interactive, creative and enjoyable lesson by having examples from a Primary 4 question. Although we had a tough time solving it, it’s the process of getting the answer, having discussions among my classmates and with the whole class were very interesting.

22. Math is not about getting the right answer, but

à is all about understanding an idea/concept and thinking (creatively)

à Aptitude for math is not inborn.

This first session is like a revelation about what Math is all about à It exercises my brain!


23. One thing that I have learned that is new to me is how solving Math problem can be done in a creative way or look beyond the box.
I used to think that learning Maths has to be done in a structured manner. If only logic and no creativity is involved, Maths can be a very dull subject. What I want to say is learning Maths should be fun and not something to be dread.


24. I’ve always thought boys are better in math than girls. Was a little shocked when it is a myth as shown in research.


25 Before the lesson started, I was wondering what would Dorrian teach us. How do teacher teach maths to pre-school children? How do we make young children to understand the math? Young children are only begin to learn numbers from 1 to 100 and a little arithmetic on addition and subtraction. I am keen to know how to teach Maths to them.

It is interesting to start the math lesson with drawing a face, reflecting the children’s feeling. From the exercise we did in the class, I realized math is not only numbers and concepts, it covers patterns, orders, logic and creativity. To teach math to children, we shall encourage them to think and not to provide answers.


25. Everybody, anybody can be good at Math with both nature and nurture development.
The process of thinking, analyzing and obtaining the right answer involve one’s thought and using multiple intelligence. (Gardner’s multiple intelligence)
Young children learn math through sensory and concrete experience. Thus using manipulatives to teach mathematics can be more efficient with teacher as a guidance and facilitator.
As an early childhood educator, I have learn getting the right answer to question is not important. The most important aspect is the process of what one’s have to go through in his thinking, analyzing, looking from different perspective and finally get the answer that solutions to the problem.


26. I have not touch on any Mathematics textbooks since left school. The question on the board was tough for the children to solve. Even I, myself has not prepared to solve the question. When the lecturer enlighten us to move the square, then I start to know how to solve the problem. Now, then I have learnt a new technique to do the question. After all, it is not that tough to solve the question. – Sharon Low

27. One thing that I had learned that is new is to teach the children in an innovative way.

For example :
At the block corner, children couldn’t figure out to fix the puzzle. You can ask open questions to stimulate his thinking such us, Can you turn the piece the other way? Or can you put it upside down?


28. One thing new that I have learned in this lesson is that I have never questioned about the logic to the maths problem solving methods and that all these years I have only learned the methods in solving. I never thought also that maths could involve creativity and that there are many ways that you can solve a problem especially when you are dealing with preschool children.

29. One thing new that I have learned is the way how we tried to solve a question. I find that in this manner, we will be able to share and think about other people’s point of view and answer. Furthermore, it helps us to think logically and creatively in solving problems. I have done problem-based learning while I was in my tertiary studies. But I never thought that it could be so challenging and stimulating. And what matters most to me is the process of solving the problems but not getting the correct and exact answer.

30. To solve math questions, it’s more of knowing the process rather than getting the right answer. The different approach of teaching maths.
I hate maths … but I think though this module I will fall in love with maths.


31. Math is all about creativity, concept and process.