CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH AND MATHEMATICS

CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH AND MATHEMATICS
   

    Constructivist approach means that all the knowledge is created from the basic previous knowledge and experiences of the students. The stress is on construction of knowledge by the students with their active participation and involvement in the teaching learning process. The teacher create situations for the students to act constructively. Constructivist approach develops critical thinking in the students and motivate them. The students are engaged in inquiry, activities, imagination, discovery, hypothesizing solutions and reflection.
  According to Audrey Gray, the characteristics of a constructivist classroom are as follows:
  1. the learners are actively involved
  2. the environment is democratic
  3. the activities are interactive and student-centered
  4. the teacher facilitates a process of learning in which students are encouraged to be responsible and autonomous.(http://ccti.colfinder.org/sites/default/files/constructivist_teaching_methods.pdf)
 Constructivist activities includes experimentation, projects, discussions etc. The findings of the activities are discussed  and learning experiences are shared in the class. The latest communication and social media like blogs, twitter, student forums, wiki could also be used in constructivist approach.
   In mathematics, constructivist approach may help students understand the concepts better because they will get a chance to use their previous knowledge, logic and reasoning abilities, perform activities, use their imagination and real life experiences. Students get a chance to solve real life problems, solve puzzles, develop logic through mutual discussion.
Teacher's Role     
    Maths teacher needs to create democratic environment and allow the students to take initiative. Students should be encouraged for discussion / dialogue with other students and teacher. Give students time to discover relationships by using their curiosity. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CORRELATION OF MATHEMATICS WITH OTHER SUBJECTS

Image
        Mathematics correlates with almost all school subject. Sciences uses mathematics the most. Even the Fine Arts use mathematics to some extent. Mathematics has characteristics like symmetry, similarity, originality, generalization and verification. All these characteristics make mathematics very usable, practical and versatile. Relation of mathematics with science, economics and fine arts is covered in this text Relation of Mathematics with Sciences       1. Physics  -           (i) The numerical derivations of many Laws of science are provided by mathematics.      (ii) Newton Laws of Motion, Gravitational Laws, Boyle's Law, Charles Law etc. require mathematics for practical understanding.          (iii)  All measurements, units and measuring devices depend upon mathematics.            2.  Chemistry -       ...
Keep reading

MATH PROBLEM SOLVING

Image
SOLVING A PROBLEM OR PROBLEM SOLVING IN MATHEMATICS             I have a problem, I want to solve it. Say the problem is - Who Shaves the Barber?  To solve this, do I need mathematics? The answer is No. I just need to ask the barber and the problem will be solved. Lets take another example. I want to go on a vacation for 5 days. For that I have to take a leave, select a place for vacation, check how much money is required, check booking dates with hotel, decide mode of transport and make a time-plan of visits to different places during vacation. Now the question arises, "Do I need mathematics?" The answer is Yes. Money required, dates, distance to travel and time-plan need mathematics. This is the real life example of problem-solving in mathematics. For this you have to think, plan, reason out, apply logic and solve the problem systematically.              Writing solution and finding solution are two different scenar...
Keep reading

OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING MATHEMATICS

Image
INSTRUCTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL OBJECTIVES   Instructional Objectives  1. These are the statements of measurable learning that is intended to take place as a result of instruction. 2. These are set according to the level of students in a particular class. 3. These are classroom objectives unique to each course or subject. 4. These are derived from the terminal behaviour which the students are expected to display as a consequence receiving instruction. Behavioural Objectives 1. These are the objectives in terms of behaviour of the students. 2. These are description of observable student behaviour related to learning. 3. Behavioural objectives should identify the following    (i) Learner - for whom the objectives are written.     (ii) Behaviour - targeted for change.    (iii) Conditions - under which the behaviour will be performed.    (iv) Criteria - for the acceptable performance of behaviour to occur.   EXAMPLE TOPIC -...
Keep reading