I came into this math course only knowing what was taught in a primary or elementary math class 25 years ago.
I had heard many things about the new methods if mathematics in schools now, without knowing about the actual methods. Parents say that teachers are making it too hard. I also heard if many teacher complaining of the new methods. One thing that I found very informative this year was that these methods that are even taught in schools now are just another way for kids to think about things. For some reason, I was told (along with many people on our class) that three was only one way for students to do math. This is completely wrong. (Thank goodness). We, as teachers are given these methods to assist us in helping students understand mathematics. For each student, their way of understanding a concept can be completely different. We should get to know or students and find methods that work best for them.
Once I was told this I was completely relieved. It was so nice to see that there is not just one way to find out the answer to a problem, because that was the was it was when I was a child. As a child who did not struggle much with math, I did not think that other people would struggle. As I grew up and began to work with many people and become aware of the people around me I realized that not everyone learns the same way. I am very happy to hear that our province is acknowledging this and are changing the curriculum so that teachers and fellow students come to appreciate the different learning styles of children.
Sometimes I feel that teachers get comfortable in the ways they teach and how they teach things. I do hope that as new ways of teaching are being experimented with and implemented into the mathematics curriculum, we are given great opportunities to attend workshops and development sessions to stay up on the new trends of teaching.
