Here are some videos to consider. The first video is of a Primary school class studying fractions. Notice how students are placed into table groups. Apart from the introduction phase of the lesson when the teacher poses the open ended question, it is mainly the students who do the thinking and talking. When a student gets stuck and asks for assistance from the teacher, notice how the teacher does not do all of the thinking for the student but rather prompts the student with questions. In this class, students don't memorise steps and formulas - the emphasis has shifted to reasoning, thinking and understanding. Not only are students valued for their ideas but they also are given a sense of responsibility for their own learning. Enjoy!
In the next video clip, we move to a high school setting. In this setting, the same principles apply as in the video above - students working in groups on open ended questions in an environment where they have the opportunity to use their own ideas, thinking and creativity.
This approach can also be used to teach maths at university level, although I'll leave that conversation for another day.
I hope at some stage to have available videos of my own classroom on this page (once I figure out all the intricacies of lighting, editing and sound). In the mean time, from what you have viewed today, please feel free to post any comments or questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
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