To grasp the meaning of a thing, an event, or a situation is to see it in its relations to other things: to see how it operates or functions, what consequences follow from it, what causes it, what uses it can be put to. In contrast, what we have called the brute thing, the thing without meaning to us, is something whose relations are not grasped. . . . The relation of means-consequence is the center and heart of all understanding. (Dewey pp. 137, 146)
DreamIT proposal by Missy McCarthy, Michigan State University MAET, Summer 2011
Image: funeducationapps.com
What does it mean to "do math"? Does it mean that one is solving equations? Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing? Using a calculator? Drawing lines and angles? What exactly is "Doing Math"? The Dewey quote above has powerful implications for teaching and learning mathematics and what it means to understand and do math. Often times, students do not like "doing math" due to a for lack of indepth understanding. Teachers often have objectives that refer to their students being able to "understand" the concepts that they are teaching, but the meaning and evidence of this understanding is often times vague and intangible. I was one of those teachers. Through this work, hopefully I am able to transform my teaching in ways that will yield a more meaningful mathematical learning experience for my students.
The purpose of this site is serve as a platform for my technology-based grant proposal for transformational learning. I plan to demonstrate how technology can be coupled with effective pedagogy and rich content to enable students to demonstrate and provide evidence of a deeper understanding in mathematics and hopefully redefine for students what it means to be "doing math".
The purpose of this site is serve as a platform for my technology-based grant proposal for transformational learning. I plan to demonstrate how technology can be coupled with effective pedagogy and rich content to enable students to demonstrate and provide evidence of a deeper understanding in mathematics and hopefully redefine for students what it means to be "doing math".
Dashika (Missy) McCarthy
Michigan State University MAET, 2011
[email protected]
Michigan State University MAET Portfolio
Michigan State University MAET, 2011
[email protected]
Michigan State University MAET Portfolio