Compelling problem of practice: My Algebra students have difficulty with mathematics reasoning. When learning an algebra skill, students can solve problems in basic form and follow the structure of an example on daily assignments, but they struggle with application of those mathematical operations outside of isolation. Specifically, students have difficulty applying mathematical skills to word problems, real-world situations, or struggle with multi-step applications of the skills.
Rationale: Mathematics is the oldest and most universal part of our culture which we share with all the world. It has its roots in the most ancient of times and the most distant of lands and has been used to solve the problems of civilization for centuries. Many high school students in my math classes asked the long-standing question, “When will I ever use this?” But the truth is we use math everyday. Students use math to solve the most-simple or most-complex of problems that they can encounter in their school or professional careers. But simply having the ability to “do” math does not help the students calculate how many yards of mulch to order, or calculate how to plan for retirement. It is mathematical reasoning that allows students to take the concepts and skills of “doing” math and apply them into their lives everyday.
Although it seems so obvious to math elites, math learners struggle with the application of mathematical skills outside of the “plug-and-chug” homework assignments, I’ve even found that some students can do the problem and then not be able to explain what it is they actually did or why. Through this techquest, I hope to find a solution that will help students not only strengthen their skills, but be able to apply those skills to word problems, real-world situations, or multi-step applications of the skills they already know. By improving math reasoning, it will improve student comprehension and confidence in the their mathematical abilities, but also provide students with the foundation for continued problem-solving beyond school and into their futures.
Rationale: Mathematics is the oldest and most universal part of our culture which we share with all the world. It has its roots in the most ancient of times and the most distant of lands and has been used to solve the problems of civilization for centuries. Many high school students in my math classes asked the long-standing question, “When will I ever use this?” But the truth is we use math everyday. Students use math to solve the most-simple or most-complex of problems that they can encounter in their school or professional careers. But simply having the ability to “do” math does not help the students calculate how many yards of mulch to order, or calculate how to plan for retirement. It is mathematical reasoning that allows students to take the concepts and skills of “doing” math and apply them into their lives everyday.
Although it seems so obvious to math elites, math learners struggle with the application of mathematical skills outside of the “plug-and-chug” homework assignments, I’ve even found that some students can do the problem and then not be able to explain what it is they actually did or why. Through this techquest, I hope to find a solution that will help students not only strengthen their skills, but be able to apply those skills to word problems, real-world situations, or multi-step applications of the skills they already know. By improving math reasoning, it will improve student comprehension and confidence in the their mathematical abilities, but also provide students with the foundation for continued problem-solving beyond school and into their futures.
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