Learning Through Math Episode 149: Edna!
Feb 9, 2025
Patrick Sullivan, an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Missouri State University and author, dives deep into the landscape of elementary math education. He discusses the importance of moving beyond memorization to foster conceptual understanding in students. Sullivan shares insights on effective questioning techniques to gauge comprehension of complex concepts like fractions and multiplication. He also reflects on his journey in writing a book inspired by student feedback, emphasizing the value of mentorship and emotional connections in teaching.
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Conceptual Fraction Understanding
- Laura observed a student conceptually understanding equivalent fractions.
- The student used reasoning instead of procedures, demonstrating deep understanding.
Constant Difference with Fractions
- Laura's students applied the constant difference strategy to fraction subtraction after seeing it with whole numbers.
- This demonstrated the strategy's broad applicability and power.
Patrick's Background
- Patrick Sullivan, an associate math professor, shares his background.
- He transitioned from teaching to research to understand student learning better.
