"we learn by teaching"
I was proud to see this in action in my maths class today. There are a number of students who understand mathematical concepts quite easily and are able to dive straight into their work as soon as I have given them a quick run down on how a particular concept works. Then there are the others who are not so confident and need a little more scaffolding...
While working with a few of these little ones one of my bright sparks had finished his work and then started to help others who were in need.. At Uni they called this "peer tutoring" and I am in full support of it- particularly since there is only one of me and I can't get around to all 28 students at once! Sometimes it can be helpful to hear it from someone else and all of a sudden everything makes sense!
Two lovely girls were struggling to grasp one concept today- they both had trouble with the same thing.. So I sat with them to help them work through a few questions and guide them along the way. There were two ways to solve these questions, one girl caught onto the first way, the other clung to the second way. Neither could make sense of the alternative version- so I suggested they "teach" each other how to do it their way.. they both started to object and say that "but miss! I can't explain it!!" I told them that if you show someone else how to solve a problem step by step it becomes more clear in your own mind and won't be forgotten so easily.
It's nice to see that some of the stuff they taught me at Uni is actually valid! Jet a pity you have to wade through all the superfluous stuff!
TGBTG xx
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
cuiusvis hominis est errare
Every human can make a mistake.... (Cicero)
Ugh, I am thoroughly disgusted with myself!
In my haste to publish I have neglected to properly proofread my earlier posts.. I have since discovered SEVERAL spelling errors.. (LOL, one painted a vivid picture, my husband's face was a potato masher!! Translated: My husband's fave was a potato masher!)
I can take some solace in knowing that most of these typos were due to typing on my iphone, one handed! Really, it is! Most of the time I posted I was in the middle of feeding my little one. I feel a strong need to make the most of my time when sitting still and feeding, so often I am researching or blogging. Lately it's been researching (ho hum, "research" sounds more professional than "web surfing" )
So, this being my blog about teaching escapades, what is the point of this post?
Student apathy, rushing work and submitting a lacklustre end product.
So many of my students rush and don't take the time to ensure their work is thorough and of a high quality.. My own teenage son is guilty of it. They detest prolonged assessment and just want to get it "over and done with" and are happy to hand in something that is "close enough".
Flashback to my own high school days, yes, I admit, I was a bit of a bull in a china shop too.. I don't know how many times I kicked myself after getting a maths exam back to see that I made stupid, careless mistakes - d'oh!
My dear husband made a very, very valid point during one of our animated discussions about the state of the education system, specifically, marking maths questions. Near enough isn't always good enough.. if we produce students who calculate bridge dimensions that are slightly out - we are doing society a disservice - a potentially deadly one. Think of a bridge the size and scale of the Gateway in Brisbane! I shudder to think. And yet, I have students whinge to me, "Miss, when am I ever going to use this in real life?"
Admittedly these statements come from students who struggle with maths and would rather be anywhere else but school. I often wonder what the secret is to make these students engage more and take an interest in their education, to value the opportunities they take for granted every day. I daresay maturity plays a big part there. I also stand by my statement that school is the training ground for the real world, get it right there and life will be a little more easier for you.
To sum it up, here is another latin phrase made famous by Cicero.. itbuilds upon the title of this post:
Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare
"Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one."
Suffice to say, I will be going back and editing my typos post haste!!
TGBTG
xx
Ugh, I am thoroughly disgusted with myself!
In my haste to publish I have neglected to properly proofread my earlier posts.. I have since discovered SEVERAL spelling errors.. (LOL, one painted a vivid picture, my husband's face was a potato masher!! Translated: My husband's fave was a potato masher!)
I can take some solace in knowing that most of these typos were due to typing on my iphone, one handed! Really, it is! Most of the time I posted I was in the middle of feeding my little one. I feel a strong need to make the most of my time when sitting still and feeding, so often I am researching or blogging. Lately it's been researching (ho hum, "research" sounds more professional than "web surfing" )
So, this being my blog about teaching escapades, what is the point of this post?
Student apathy, rushing work and submitting a lacklustre end product.
So many of my students rush and don't take the time to ensure their work is thorough and of a high quality.. My own teenage son is guilty of it. They detest prolonged assessment and just want to get it "over and done with" and are happy to hand in something that is "close enough".
Flashback to my own high school days, yes, I admit, I was a bit of a bull in a china shop too.. I don't know how many times I kicked myself after getting a maths exam back to see that I made stupid, careless mistakes - d'oh!
My dear husband made a very, very valid point during one of our animated discussions about the state of the education system, specifically, marking maths questions. Near enough isn't always good enough.. if we produce students who calculate bridge dimensions that are slightly out - we are doing society a disservice - a potentially deadly one. Think of a bridge the size and scale of the Gateway in Brisbane! I shudder to think. And yet, I have students whinge to me, "Miss, when am I ever going to use this in real life?"
Admittedly these statements come from students who struggle with maths and would rather be anywhere else but school. I often wonder what the secret is to make these students engage more and take an interest in their education, to value the opportunities they take for granted every day. I daresay maturity plays a big part there. I also stand by my statement that school is the training ground for the real world, get it right there and life will be a little more easier for you.
To sum it up, here is another latin phrase made famous by Cicero.. itbuilds upon the title of this post:
Cuiusvis hominis est errare, nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare
"Any man can make a mistake; only a fool keeps making the same one."
Suffice to say, I will be going back and editing my typos post haste!!
TGBTG
xx
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