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Innovative
Teaching Materials for AS Mathematics |
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School: Wilberforce College
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Fellow: Susan Wall |
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Email: susan@wal.karoo.co.uk |
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AS Maths, which started as part of curriculum
2000, has thrown up a range of challenges
particularly for 6th form and F.E. colleges.
Students, many of whom have taken intermediate
level GCSE arrive with few algebraic skills
and a wide range of teaching and learning
backgrounds. Yet within 9 months they must
acquire the mathematical maturity to be able
to present sound mathematical arguments and
recognise which skills are required to answer
questions which are becoming less structured.
"Traditional" teaching methods of
exposition followed by practice of similar
examples do not always encourage the development
of independent thinking in students. In addition
teaching discrete chapters from a textbook
one after another, however well it is done,
does not automatically ensure that students
deepen and develop skills needed to solve
a range of problems. |
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I am looking at ways of addressing these
challenges. Firstly I feel that if learning
is to be effective there must be a more 'connectionist'
approach with each topic / skill being seen
as part of the whole and not as a self-contained
unit. The skills are gradually built up in
difficulty, repeating frequently and linking
together at an early stage. I have developed
a scheme of work that reflects this. |
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I am developing some detailed teaching materials
and notes which would encourage: |
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An interactive approach
to learning whereby students are involved
in their own learning at all times through
whole class activities, individual problem
solving, investigations and group work
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Good oral and written communication
skills with students being encouraged
to explain their reasoning to each other
and the rest of the class |
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Students to think independently so
that they have the confidence to tackle
and break down complex, unstructured
questions |
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Fundamental skills to be gradually
developed in a coherent way |
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Maths is a brilliant, exciting and fascinating
subject to learn and to teach especially if
you are involved in the learning and you can
see the whole picture. |
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