Mr Barton Maths Podcast #030 Andrew Blair – prequel: Inquiries and being a Head of Department
Sep 16, 2017
Andrew Blair, Head of Department at Vardeen School, shares his innovative approach to inquiry-based learning in mathematics. He discusses the excitement of student-driven questions and the challenges of leadership in education. Blair offers strategies for fostering engagement, balancing group dynamics, and assessing student progress through personalized portfolios. He emphasizes the transformative power of empowering students' curiosity and the importance of supportive training for department heads. Expect practical tips and inspiring ideas from a leader passionate about creative math education.
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Inquiry Lessons Driven by Student Questions
- Inquiry Maths lessons begin with prompts that spark students' questions without preset outcomes.
- Students control their learning path, developing both math skills and learning skills simultaneously.
Year 10 Inquiry on Number Sequences
- Andrew used a statement: "The difference, sum and product of two numbers are the first three terms of a sequence" in a Year 10 top set inquiry.
- Students explored by asking questions, testing numbers, and discussing sequence validity in groups.
Using Prompt Cards to Structure Learning
- After initial exploration, stop and have students reflect and decide the next steps using prompt cards.
- These cards help students structure the lesson and choose paths, encouraging self-regulation of learning.