Jo Boaler Reveals Attacks by Critics
Jo Boaler is a renowned scholar of mathematics education who has demonstrated in multiple studies that “students who engage actively in their mathematics learning, rather than simply practicing procedures, achieve at higher levels.” In this article, she discusses the unbelievable level of “harassment and persecution” she has suffered for pursuing this line of research at the hands of two critics who engage in some very unsavory practices.
Making It Happen
Making It Happen: Common Core Standards is a new publication from NCTM that connects the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) with the NCTM’s 30-year track record in standards for school mathematics. The report shows that many of the aims and goals of the Common Core State Standards Initiative are consistent with those of the Council’s preceding work—to provide all students with mathematics education of the highest quality. It further demonstrates how NCTM resources can be used to support implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Read the rest of this entry »
TED Talks: Teaching Kids Real Math with Computers
Interesting talk by Conrad Wolfram (strategic director of Wolfram Research, which produces mathematical software): “From rockets to stock markets, many of humanity’s most thrilling creations are powered by math. So why do kids lose interest in it? Conrad Wolfram says the part of math we teach — calculation by hand — isn’t just tedious, it’s mostly irrelevant to real mathematics and the real world. He presents his radical idea: teaching kids math through computer programming.” Read the rest of this entry »
Review of U.S. Math Performance in Global Perspective
The report U.S. Math Performance in Global Perspective: How Well Does Each State Do at Producing High-Achieving Students? suggests that the United States ranks behind most of its industrialized competitors in the mathematics performance of high achievers. Moreover, most states performed closer to developing countries than developed countries. However, in a review of the report, Dr. Jeremy Kilpatrick challenges these findings, suggesting limitations in its design. Read the rest of this entry »
TED Talks: Math Class Needs a Makeover
Intriguing talk by Dan Meyer: “Today’s math curriculum is teaching students to expect — and excel at — paint-by-numbers classwork, robbing kids of a skill more important than solving problems: formulating them.” Read the rest of this entry »