Andrew Kern, Matt Bianco, and David Kern discuss getting good questions from reluctant students. Topics include the significance of the human face in relation to God and nurturing students, allowing students to explore and deviate, understanding mistaken conclusions, teaching approach, and the power of questions.
Honoring students' questions and interests can create a more engaging and meaningful learning experience.
Understanding the thought process behind conclusions is crucial in fostering critical thinking skills.
Encouraging curiosity and diverse thinking in math education empowers students to become effective problem solvers.
Deep dives
Honoring the Questions and Paths of Reluctant Learners
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the importance of honoring the questions and paths of reluctant learners. They emphasize that every student, even those labeled as reluctant, has questions and interests in learning. By engaging with their questions and allowing them to explore different paths, teachers can create a more engaging and meaningful learning experience. The hosts highlight that recognizing and answering the 'should' questions of students can be particularly effective in sparking curiosity and deeper understanding. They also stress the need for teachers to be open to learning from their students and to avoid reducing them to mere performers. Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of honoring students' questions, interests, and individual learning journeys.
Correcting Conclusions versus Understanding the Thought Process
Another key point discussed in this episode is the importance of understanding the thought process that leads to certain conclusions. The hosts suggest that simply correcting conclusions without addressing the underlying thinking can hinder the learning process. They emphasize the need to investigate how students arrived at their conclusions, even if they seem incorrect or misguided. By doing so, teachers can gain insights into students' perspectives and help them develop critical thinking skills. The episode also discusses the significance of asking 'should' questions and exploring the truth in various contexts. By cultivating an environment that values inquiry and understanding, teachers can foster engagement and growth in their students.
Fostering Curiosity and Addressing Reluctance
The podcast episode highlights the importance of fostering curiosity and addressing reluctance in students. The hosts discuss the fear among teachers that reluctant students may not have questions to ask or be interested in learning. However, they argue that every student possesses innate curiosity and that teachers should strive to draw out their questions and interests. By engaging with learners' questions, providing relevant contexts, and connecting subjects to the 'should' questions, teachers can spark student curiosity and promote active learning. The episode emphasizes the need to avoid forcing students down a specific path and instead, honor their interests and encourage them to explore various perspectives. By doing so, teachers can transform reluctant students into active learners who embrace the joy of learning and uncover the truth for themselves.
Teaching math through error recognition and problem-solving
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses an effective approach to teaching math by focusing on error recognition and problem-solving. The teacher describes a scenario where students incorrectly add two-digit numbers and highlights the importance of helping students recognize their mistake and understand the logic behind the correct answer. Instead of immediately correcting them, the teacher guides them through a process of comparing, trying alternatives, and walking backwards through the problem to find the error and rectify it. This approach encourages critical thinking and allows students to understand the internal logic of math problems.
Cultivating curiosity and diverse thinking in math education
The podcast episode also delves into the significance of cultivating curiosity and embracing diverse thinking in math education. The speaker advocates for teachers to encourage students to explore different approaches to solving math problems instead of strictly adhering to the given algorithms. By doing so, students can develop their own problem-solving skills and discover alternative ways of reaching the correct answer. The aim is to empower students to take authority over their own thinking and become effective problem solvers who can adapt to different scenarios, similar to how skilled thinkers approach various disciplines like literature and history.
This week we dig deep into the Quiddity archive for a conversation between Andrew Kern, Matt Bianco, and David Kern on how to get good questions from a reluctant student.