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Motivating mathematical minds for the future

LaToya R. Jones

Instructional Design & Technology 0520-O

Case Study Blog   Week 3

Dr. Chris Deason

25 May 2024

 

 



 

Motivating Mathematical Minds for the Future

 

In this case blog presentation, we will discuss the learning strategy of Motivating Mathematical Minds for the Future.  According to James Gouinlock, John Dewey was a cofounder of the philosophical movement known as Pragmatism. John Dewey developed a philosophy of educational belief that a democratic society of informed and engaged inquirers was the best means of promoting human interests (Gouinlock, 2024). The concept of learner engagement was identified as Social because the students were in a group setting and then eventually grouped into special groups such as pairs or tutoring/one-on-one sessions.

 

According to Conceptua Math, mathematical ideas can be successful when the students are engaged in discussion peer tutoring. The students in the video are encouraged to answer and they are made to feel safe and confident in answering questions simply because the teacher has instilled within the pupils that it is right to be wrong. The teacher gives the students the role of teacher when they are explaining the reasoning behind their answers (Conceptua Math,2013).  

 

 

The presenter stated that the teacher had to teach a lesson and the administrator came by to monitor the learning ability of the teacher to the students. In a classroom, one can have various learners, the key being how the teacher can reach each student to the point of understanding. Many teachers have stood in the classroom and lectured, talked, and scaffolded to the students; blank stares may have come his/her way (YouTube, Let’s Teach).  As Keller and Deimann expressed, Cognitive learner engagement is the next ability to be identified in which and how to get the children focused, maintained, and motivated to learn (Keller & Deimann,2018).

 

 

The next strategy identified was Intellectual learner engagement. As stated by Keller & Deimann, to increase learner engagement in a course or subject, instructional designers may create lessons, assignments, or projects that appeal to student interests or that stimulate their intellectual curiosity (Keller, & Deimann 2018). There are many aspects of education to learn, yet the main four focused on are English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science each may have specific methods to help the teacher properly deliver. According to Kane & Saclarides, using presentations from video and interview data from twelve Mathematical coaches and one administrator in one public school district in the Southeastern region of the United States, this qualitative study explores how the performance aspect of one group of Mathematics coaches’ doing the Math Routine opened up students’ conversations during lecture, instruction, and group and individual coaching (Kane &Saclarides, 2022).

 

 

 Some researchers have different ways of measuring children’s skills by testing and taking data. As mentioned by Nagle, methodological ‘learning-by-doing” refers to the process of acquiring methodological skills and understanding while using the method and doing research (Nagle, 2023). In the Let’s TEACH YouTube presentation entitled, The Ten Plus Two Teaching Method the teacher teaches for ten minutes, and pauses for two minutes during this time the students can write in a journal/ reflect on the given lesson.

 

 

 At this time the teacher can split up the class into pairs or tutoring time with the students by oral discussion. After these two minutes, restart the remainder of the lesson by giving example problems related to the existing lesson. The teacher gives formative feedback to the students for guidance. This strategy is when the teacher gives the students examples to follow in step form to help lead the way to completion (YouTube, 2017). As one may witness in the presentation, the administrator expresses to the educator that more talking the student does is an indicator that the student has learned some of the teaching and may be motivated to learn more.

 

 

 

A Teacher Could use these Learning Strategies in the Classroom as a Resource:

 

Cognitive- The teacher could use a Memory Game and Mathematical learning manipulative to help the students use attention, memory, and thinking skills.

 

Affective- The teacher can influence the students to join class discussions with a partner.

 

The teacher can use Physical Educational games such as jump rope or jumping rope and also use cross-curriculum to remember ABCs, the numbers, colors, poems, and The capitals of the U.S.

 

Verbal- The teacher could have the pupil read a mathematical question from an index card, and have another student write the problem on the board or have students write on their dry-erase boards at their desks.

 

Intellectual- The teacher can have the students use memory/recall a math fact that was written on the dry-erase board.

 

                                                      References

 

 

Gouinlock, J. S. (2024, April 12). John Dewey. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Dewey

 

 

Kane, B. D., & Saclarides, E. S. (2022). Doing the math Together: coaches’ professional learning through engagement in mathematics. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 26(2), 241–270. Https://doi-org.oclc.fullsail.edu/10.1007/s10857-021-09527-y

 

 

 Keller, J.M and Deimann, M. (2018). Motivation, Volition, and Performance. In R. A. Reiser & J. V.  Dempsey (Eds.), Trends and issues in instructional design and technology (4th ed.) (pp. 78-84). New   York, NY: Pearson.

 

 

 Nagle, T., Birkbeck, G., Daly, N., Jones, S., O’Sullivan, J., & Sammon, D. (2023).        Methodological “Learning-by-Doing” for Action Design Research. Journal of Information Systems Education, 34(3), 293–306.

 

 

Parish, L. (2023). Mathematical modelling: Learning mathematics through authentic contextualisation. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom28(4), 28–33.

 

 

[You Tube]. (2017, May 20). The Ten Plus Two Teaching Method [Video]. Let's Teach. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2udPWz_3vg

 

 

 [You Tube]. (2013, October 9). Rich Classroom Discussions in Math [Video]. Conceptua Math.  http://www.conceptuamath.com 

  

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3 Comments


salukkarila
May 29

The case study discussing how to motivate students, in math classes underlines the significance of engaging students fostering learning and sparking curiosity in mathematics education. To expand on this research further studies could delve into these ideas to gain an understanding of their relevance and practical applications within settings.

For instance a study conducted by Hulleman and Cordray (2010) delved into the importance of autonomy and competence in student engagement. Their findings revealed that when students felt empowered to control their learning process and demonstrated confidence in their skills they were more inclined to participate in learning activities. These results support the strategies advocated in the case study, such as peer tutoring and student led discussions, which aim to encourage…

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sdfigueroa
May 26

As a middle school math teacher, your case study was right up my alley. Your research on the empowerment of students through math conversations is very important. I enjoyed the emphasis on the role of the teacher in facilitating these conversations and handing over the role of the teacher to the students as they justify their reasoning. This strategy is critical if we want our students to confidently engage in new math skills instead of just memorizing steps and facts. With the growth of STEM careers students need to be prepared to find meaning and master math concepts that involve problem-solving and critical thinking. Sparking these conversations and making sure every student has a voice has been very challenging for…

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Heidi Bromund
May 25

Watching the video, a moment that I found inspiring was how students were allowed to make mistakes so they could learn from them. The way the instructor talked them through the errors and allowed the students to come to the correct answer by their own realization showcases well the Keller and Deimann learning motivation of anticipating and experiencing satisfying outcomes. They specifically reference using feedback that is informational instead of controlling (2018) and the method showcased provided meaningful learning for the students.


I did some research through the Ebsco host database and found a study I believe adds to the information you’ve already researched and showcases another activity that inspires mathematic intrinsic learning. What’s the Math in Minecraft? Is a study…


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