Philosophy of Mathematics Education
Mathematicians are the most versatile people. We can do more than any other teacher can do. We can analyze and write a logical response just like an English teacher. We can follow patterns and interpret results like a history teacher. We can test our own hypothesis like a science teacher. We can translate mathematical terms and symbols just like foreign language teachers teach another language. Not only that, but we can pretty much speak Greek. We are organized, logical, and amazing problem solvers. Math teachers have the ability to generalize every subject in their instruction.
Being a math teacher not only do you have to be strong in your content but you must also be strong in connecting with your students. The math classroom should be engaging, motivating, and interactive. I believe it is the responsibility of the teacher to make their math class function in this way. When students can communicate to each other, and become excited to speak about math, they display a deeper understanding of math, than they would be if they were just practicing computations. When I teach math, I implement group work so that students can practice using math vocabulary, and conversing ideas. Teachers should also be enthusiastic about the subject they teach. Having vigor and excitement towards math makes the subject become more important to the student. Students care enough to show effort if their teacher cares. Showing passion in math helps the students understand this material is important.
Math does not only have to be about doing arithmetic and computations. A lot of math can be done with hands on experience. Students learn more when they experience math in the classroom. For example, I had my students each pour themselves a cup of juice. Their goal was to drink the juice in 6 even sips! They must graph their results and tell me if they had a constant rate of change, or slope. The students loved it! They were able to experience slope, draw it out on a graph, and match it to an equation. It really help tie in all the lectures and lessons on slope before, and gave it meaning to the students.
Math is the most useful subject because it tests a person to follow through with solving a problem. Everyday,in every field of work, we have to solve problems. This world needs incredible math teachers to help improve the world. If people can persevere, the world will keep trying to find the cures to cancer, stop world hunger, and create the iPhone 10. For this to be necessary we need amazing math teachers to teach the youth to prepare them to keep trying in life. Math can revolutionize the world.
Being a math teacher not only do you have to be strong in your content but you must also be strong in connecting with your students. The math classroom should be engaging, motivating, and interactive. I believe it is the responsibility of the teacher to make their math class function in this way. When students can communicate to each other, and become excited to speak about math, they display a deeper understanding of math, than they would be if they were just practicing computations. When I teach math, I implement group work so that students can practice using math vocabulary, and conversing ideas. Teachers should also be enthusiastic about the subject they teach. Having vigor and excitement towards math makes the subject become more important to the student. Students care enough to show effort if their teacher cares. Showing passion in math helps the students understand this material is important.
Math does not only have to be about doing arithmetic and computations. A lot of math can be done with hands on experience. Students learn more when they experience math in the classroom. For example, I had my students each pour themselves a cup of juice. Their goal was to drink the juice in 6 even sips! They must graph their results and tell me if they had a constant rate of change, or slope. The students loved it! They were able to experience slope, draw it out on a graph, and match it to an equation. It really help tie in all the lectures and lessons on slope before, and gave it meaning to the students.
Math is the most useful subject because it tests a person to follow through with solving a problem. Everyday,in every field of work, we have to solve problems. This world needs incredible math teachers to help improve the world. If people can persevere, the world will keep trying to find the cures to cancer, stop world hunger, and create the iPhone 10. For this to be necessary we need amazing math teachers to teach the youth to prepare them to keep trying in life. Math can revolutionize the world.