Join Manuela Manetta, an innovative mathematics professor, and Lori Teague, a dynamic choreographer, as they explore the fusion of dance and math education. They discuss how integrating movement into math instruction enhances student engagement and comprehension, breaking down traditional barriers. Their initiative, Mathematics Through Movement, encourages creativity and collaboration, transforming the way students interact with mathematical concepts. Through courses like 'Dancing Dynamical Systems,' students learn to view math as a lively, creative process—bridging math with human connection.
Integrating dance into math instruction transforms the perception of mathematics from memorization into a creative and engaging learning experience.
The collaborative initiative Mathematics Through Movement fosters interpersonal connections among students while enhancing their understanding of complex mathematical concepts through physical activities.
Deep dives
Transforming Math Through Movement
Students typically view math as a set of rules to memorize, rather than a creative means of understanding the world. Integrating dance into math instruction fosters a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts by allowing students to engage with the material on a physical level. One notable instance involved a professor demonstrating graph curves by walking along them, which helped students grasp complex differential equations. This innovative approach led to improved comprehension, turning a previously daunting subject into a more accessible and enjoyable experience.
Collaboration Between Dance and Math
The initiative Mathematics Through Movement arose from a collaborative effort between a math professor and a dance instructor, aiming to intertwine their expertise. They created a sidecar course that involved students from both disciplines working together in a supportive environment. This partnership allowed for creative exploration and problem-solving as students applied mathematical concepts through movement. By engaging students in this way, they not only learned math more effectively but also developed interpersonal connections, breaking the ice between typically divided subjects.
Engaging Activities that Enhance Learning
Course activities combined elements of dance and math through engaging, hands-on experiences that encouraged creative thinking. For example, students used physio balls to explore balance while relating the activity to the concept of constant solutions in differential equations. Another activity involved students selecting personal traits that defined their strategies in a competition game based on predator-prey dynamics, which effectively illustrated real-life applications of mathematical concepts. Through these activities, students not only deepened their understanding of math but also learned to articulate mathematical ideas through expressive movement.
Benefits of Embodied Learning Experiences
The incorporation of dance into math education positively impacted student engagement and comprehension, especially post-COVID, when many students were inclined to memorize information rather than explore concepts. Movement-based activities challenged students to step out of their comfort zones, fostering creativity and collaboration, and breaking down barriers of communication in the classroom. This interactive approach promoted peers to support one another, ultimately creating a more inclusive learning environment. The focus on physical expression allowed students to form personal connections with mathematical concepts, enhancing their overall educational experience.
Students in math classes often treat math as a set of rules or procedures to be memorized, and do not see it as a creative and powerful way of modeling reality. In this episode, Manuela Manetta and Lori Teague join us to discuss how they have combined dance with math instruction to help students develop a deeper connection to mathematical concepts while also building human connection with their peers.
Manuela is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Emory University. She is the recipient of a 2023 Emory Williams Distinguished Teaching Award. Lori is a choreographer and Associate Professor of Dance and Movement Studies at Emory University. They are co-developers of the initiative Mathematics through Movement, and they have taught different types of courses integrating movement into mathematics instruction at Emory.