Math Therapy Teaching math as an act of protest w/ Dan Meyer
May 11, 2023
Dan Meyer, a renowned math teacher and Stanford doctorate holder, joins for a vibrant discussion on reimagining math education. He shares insights on transforming student perceptions, advocating for a more inclusive, anxiety-reducing approach. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they debate societal views on math, personal Guinness World Records, and the connection between math ability and genetics. Meyer’s passion for innovative teaching shines, offering a thought-provoking view on math as an act of protest.
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Leveraging Intuition
- Math classes should leverage students' existing intuitions about math, not just focus on rote memorization.
- Babies can identify different quantities, highlighting the innate math skills present before formal education.
Redefining Math Ability
- Broaden the definition of "good at math" beyond speed and memorization.
- Value diverse mathematical skills like predicting answers, describing patterns, and analyzing shapes.
Math Anxiety and Prior Knowledge
- Math anxiety stems from math's perceived lack of accessibility to prior knowledge, unlike humanities subjects.
- Humanities presume students possess some pre-existing understanding, fostering a sense of value and contribution.