"Alexa, what is 6x8?"
Students and teachers must create their own understanding of mathematics in order to fully understand it. Do students need to know their facts? Absolutely! But if we rely solely on rote memorization to teach these facts, we are not teaching or learning mathematics. We are teaching isolated bits of information we can easily ask Alexa or our phones to answer. We are ignoring the beauty of the patterns and connections that are the foundation of the discipline. If we are to create future problem solvers, we need to ignite a passion for the joy of mathematics in all of our students. To do this, teachers need to be equipped with current best practices in the ways students can approach and learn mathematics. They also need to be learners of mathematics.
My work is inspired by Jo Boaler, Marilyn Burns, Dan Meyer, John Van de Walle, David Sousa, Erma Anderson, Steve Leinwand, Sherry Parrish, Tara Waudby, Andrew Crouse and the countless educators who share their expertise and resources on social media. I am grateful to all of these individuals for their influence on my personal learning and teaching of mathematics.
My work is inspired by Jo Boaler, Marilyn Burns, Dan Meyer, John Van de Walle, David Sousa, Erma Anderson, Steve Leinwand, Sherry Parrish, Tara Waudby, Andrew Crouse and the countless educators who share their expertise and resources on social media. I am grateful to all of these individuals for their influence on my personal learning and teaching of mathematics.