MAT104 Blackboard Assignment 5
Sample Student Response:
Q. What are the "math wars"?
We understand that math wars, is the reaction of parents and teachers to the traditional and the new approach method of teaching in public schools. In our debate, we agree that students should understand and use math. At the same time we agree that student should receive more guidance from the teacher.
Our final position is similar, because we think that students should understand the concept and enhance it skills with more challenging solving problem/drill operations as a home work. As a result, student learning process is not based in memorization; the child would able to solve any problem using its understanding instead of generalizing the concept.
Q. Do students still need to learn to compute with paper and pencil now that calculators are so widespread?
As a group we think that, the use of calculator should be only for higher grades, for children at early age is not convenient, because they would get used to it of calculator instead of find out the solution using the thinking process.
Q. How can teachers develop all the strands of math proficiency when they already have so much to teach?
We don agree with this answer, we think that time is important for teachers, but for students effective learning of the content is important as well; therefore, sometimes repetition is necessary, even though the time is important factor in class to cover the curriculum.
Q. Does working in small groups help students develop math proficiency?
We agree that small groups or 2 or 3 are more efficient, to promote effective social interaction among students, because each member would get the opportunity to share their ideas.
Do students have to be grouped by ability?
We agree that “ability group,” is not beneficial for students who are not in the same level than the rest of the class. Teacher should find a method to integrate them in a group. One solution can be, to mixed them with high level students; as a result, the lower level student could get help from its peers, instead of sitting relegated on one side of the class.
Q. Should all students study algebra?
We agree that algebra should be taught at the end of middle school to built strong foundation for students when they reach high school and college.
Does improving students' math proficiency require new types of tests?
Since the approach of teaching is changing, we agree that the tests should change too, according to what the students are being taught. School’s administration should be realistic of the changes they making; consequently they would not use same tests to asses the children proficiency.