In the past, math class at the Summit schools was always hands-on: the class worked on a problem, usually in small groups, sometimes for days at a time. But getting an entire class of ninth graders to master the fundamentals of math was never easy. Without those, the higher-level conceptual exercises were impossible.
They found that Khan Academy did a better job. Not too surprising to me.
You can read more at Cost of College.
Imagine direct-instruction versus reinventing the math wheel...What a concept!
ReplyDeleteI like having students work problems in class (typically, I work one on the board and then give them a related problem, often working backwards, and have them try to start it). But I have to say spending days on a single problem is a waste of time, no matter how complex. If students can't work the problem in a class period, either they need more instruction or more practice. If it is intentionally too vague or too complex to finish in 20 or 30 minutes, the problem should be broken down so that students feel they are making progress.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder that approach wasn't working.
More direct instruction, whether by technology or by a real live teacher, would seem to be a no-brainer for increasing efficiency in public schools.
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