Principles of Learning and Teaching – Math/Science EDU312 Reviewing Week 1 Principles of Learning and Teaching – Math/Science EDU312

This week’s Big Ideas… We participated in an activity about number sense and using a number sense task to consider students’ abilities. This raised some concepts that are important in mathematics teaching. Subitizing – rapid, accurate judgment of numbers based on visual looks ‘Counting on’ – ability to start in the middle of a sequence and continue counting a set Mental Math - we didn’t use this term, but it is the notion that we quickly add in our heads Invented Algorithm – another term we didn’t use, but it is the idea of inventing approaches that are efficient and accurate

Big Ideas –continued We all have prior knowledge and experiences that impacts learning. Prior knowledge and experiences, create conceptions that impact learning. In math these conceptions can be beneficial In science common conceptions often interfere with learning. Both math and science involve learning practices/procedures (skills), facts, and concepts. Over emphasis on procedure or facts is no effective Developing conceptual understandings aids in learning facts.

Big Ideas continued Metacognition is important to learning. Understanding involves knowing both how and why a concept is relevant and useful Making connections between facts, concepts, naïve conceptions, and experiences enables development of understandings. Understanding develops over time through multiple experiences.

Pedagogical issues Teachers have a role of identifying students’ understandings (knowledge and ability) and then helping students construct new understandings. Involves assessing/evaluating students Teachers can ask ‘dumb’ questions Teachers can ask students to explain their thinking and procedures Teachers can model metacognition

Pedagogical Issues continued There are many different styles of classroom and the style of the classroom is important to learning. Effective learning occurs in classrooms that consider multiple dimensions: Learner centered Knowledge centered Assessment centered Community Centered

Thinking about standards Standards are useful to teachers in helping focus and refine statements of learning outcomes. An effective learning outcome is measureable and specific, using concepts and ideas within the standards. Standards help articulate connections across grade levels. Standards highlight the role of Discourse and how the Practices of Mathematics reflect Mathematical Disciplinary Discourse.

Practical issues for us Websites – still need to work on this Placements – background checks are in, I still need to submit names for Title IX training. In addition, I am still one placement short. I will get that by Monday. We will not go to the schools until the background checks clear and Title IX training