I pretty much agree with the research and analysis presented in the articles (Kim Beswick & Merrilyn Goos) regarding mathematics beliefs, knowing and doing mathematics and its importance as a subject and as a tool.
What we believe about the
subject as a teacher influence our teaching style and I think this then makes (or
affects) student’s vision or belief about the subject. Teachers are the first
ones who introduce the subject to the students and they are the main source for
them to start believing what is this subject, how difficult or easy it is for
them, do they like it or not. Hence, I would say teachers should be very cautious
in their beliefs, words and actions about mathematics as it is going to reflect
in their students which can last, sometimes, forever with their lives and we
would be responsible for students’ love or hate for the subject.
Knowing and doing
mathematics is not different than knowing something else in the real world
(knowledge) and then to know where would it be applied when it comes to its
application. Knowledge and understanding about something are two interconnected
but different things. If we know something with understanding, that’s where we
are in the position to reflect/transfer it. So being a main source for student’s
perception about mathematics, teachers should demonstrate mathematics as a part
of real world.
Mathematics is important
to learn as it is just not a subject but a tool and a tool kit is not complete with
a missing tool. It is about connecting ideas and sense-making. For me, it is also
an enjoyment and a source of happiness by giving a sense of accomplishment.
My Mathematics Creeds
My Mathematics Creeds
- I believe that mathematics is not just a subject to learn and teach but it’s an affection and love. This passion about mathematics can make someone enthusiastic about it and it will lead towards making sound grounds of it.
- I believe that learning mathematics is not just beautiful and pleasurable but also interesting to solve problems in the practical life. It helps to bring innovations, creativity and diversity in real life problems.
- I believe that learning and teaching experience of this subject affects very much on one’s career selection and if we have good mathematics learning memories then most probably we will choose a career of educating this subject and by the quote “teaching is learning twice” we will be on a journey of always learning new things.
- I believe that I feel enjoyment while teaching geometry in mathematics because drawing triangles, circles and rectangles using compass and scale is like doing an art work while solving the problems.
- I believe that mathematics is one of the key subjects of all the inventions of the world starting from simple calculator to complex and super computers to huge buildings, bridges and even tabulating the results of medical experiments/researches and much more. I also believe if it was not mathematics then human might still be living in caves.
In your 5th creed you reference that mathematics is an important subject which has led to all sorts of inventions. Often students will ask, "when am I going to use this math in the real world?" Is this how you plan to answer that question?
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with your first statement, the more passionate we are about teaching a subject area we love, the more contagious that is. Students will want to be in your classroom, will be more engaged and it's sort of like dominos (I think).
Yes, I agree with what you said, everybody uses math in their lives in one form or other, knowingly or unknowingly.
ReplyDelete