In THIS article on edweek.org, author Sarah Sparks discusses the findings of a new study, Why Mental Arithmetic Counts, done on 10th grade students and how they solve simple math problems. The students’ brains were scanned while performing single-digit arithmetic problems such as 8 + 4.
They compared which portion of the brain was activated with their PSAT scores. Students who had high activity in the section of the brain associated with memory of math facts during the activity also scored better on the PSAT than those students who had high activity in the area which is associated with processing number quantities. Conclusion:
The findings suggested that high-achieving students knew these answers by rote memory, while lower-performing students were still mentally calculating even low-level problems.
Both groups solved the problems equally quickly, but Ansari noted that the difference in how students process the problems could add time and effort as students attempt more and more complex equations.
“Perhaps the building of those networks early in development go on to facilitate high-level learning, which in turn allows you to free up working memory. It speaks to this raging debate in math education on procedural versus concept learning,” Ansari said.
We have seen this play out all the time when a student hits fractions, pre-algebra, or Algebra I. If you are still counting up in your head for 8 + 5 or 6 x 7, how can you quickly solve something like 6(3x – 7) + 5x = 50? And if you can’t do that quickly, how can you do 15 of these on test in a timely manner? Not memorizing math facts can quickly lead to a snowball effect where each higher level of math is more difficult, tedious, and burdensome than before. That’s why at Gideon we insist on memorization of math facts as shown though time and accuracy before moving into harder concepts whether the student is in 1st grade or 7th grade. Memorize the easy stuff so you can concentrate later on learning new concepts. It makes that all the difference!
A really cool website, Globalreportcard.org, has compiled a massive amount of data to compare ANY school district in America against the state, nation, and even international students.
While we hear about how our national education is failing our students, maybe it’s not your district! It’s a great way to compare districts when moving.
Go HERE to check out how your local district ranks!
Here are screenshots of the site using Coppell ISD in TX (near DFW).
Here’s a great video I just found on Valerie Strauss’s Washington Post education blog from PBS News Hour about how one LA middle school was turned around with small changes such as monitoring attendance closely with calls to the parent – especially in a pivotal year such as 6th grade. The school has regular meetings with teachers, administration, and social workers to discuss individual students who are showing red flags and how to improve the situation. Students with behavioral or personal problems also get support by forming bonds and developing trust through tutoring and talking with adult role models which are the staff of a non-profit partner organization. The principal states their suspension rate went from over 50% down to 15%, lowered the failure rate to 7%, and raised attendance.
While I still think putting pencil to paper is crucial while working out math problems, I heartily agree with some of the ideas espoused by the online Khan Academy’s founder, Salman Khan.
In much of the developed world, Khan writes, schools use a top-down teaching model first developed in Prussia, a Germanic kingdom known for “stiff whiskers, stiff hats, and stiff way of marching in lockstep.” Students must march ahead even if they haven’t understood what came before. Eventually, some stumble and tune out.
Khan’s big idea is that using online technology for lessons, quizzes, and constant assessment will create an affordable way to implement a different teaching ideal known as “mastery learning.” Everyone advances at his or her own pace. Don’t try algebra until you know your arithmetic. Spend less time in lectures and more in hands-on problem solving.
Khan Academy has over 3,000 free videos where you can get some quick help on anything from math to history to medicare. The idea is the student can rewind and rewatch the video as many times as needed to fully understand and go at his own pace instead of only learning from a live teacher trying to keep 30 students at the same place during a lecture. It’s a great resource if you need more instruction or refreshing on a topic.
While at Gideon we believe a live person will generally give a better explanation as he can respond to student questions and working out problems on paper leads to faster mastery (see here and here), a good video goes a long way when your teacher cannot be reached. Watching some Khan Academy videos inspired us to make our own which are designed to be back-up support for students in the Gideon program working through the booklets. The center instructor’s in-person guidance and a student’s pencil to paper practice are still our primary ways of attaining mastery, but the videos are useful if you need to see the steps animated or hear the sounds – such as in phonics.
They are found by visiting our Youtube channel or by scanning the QR code on the front of a booklet using a smart phone. We’ve completed most of the lower math and reading levels already!
This is an interesting piece on why the entry level (and other) jobs are open in many manufacturing companies.
“I can honestly say it’s probably an entry level problem. It’s those basic skill sets: show up on time, read, write, do math, [and] problem solve. I can’t tell you how many people [are] even coming out of higher ed with degrees who can’t put a sentence together without a major grammatical error. It’s a problem. If you can’t do the resume properly to get the job, you can’t come work for us. We’re in the business of making fasteners that hold systems together that protect people in the air when they’re flying. We’re in the business of perfection.” – Ryan Castella, Head of Strategic Initiatives at Click Bond, Inc.
