Five Principles of Extraordinary Math Teaching | Dan Finkel | TEDxRainier

Summary

In this talk, the speaker emphasizes the beauty and power of mathematical thinking, lamenting how often math is misrepresented as tedious memorization rather than an exhilarating journey of discovery. They advocate for a transformative approach to teaching math, rooted in curiosity and exploration, and outline five principles: start with a question, allow time to struggle, embrace not knowing the answers, say 'yes' to students' ideas, and encourage play. By fostering these principles, we can help students experience the joy and creativity of math, ultimately nurturing a lifelong love for the subject.

Takeaways

• 😟 The script starts with a personal anecdote about a child disliking math, highlighting the common issue of math aversion.
• 🧐 The speaker emphasizes the beauty and power of mathematical thinking and its life-changing potential, contrasting with the negative experiences many have with math education.
• 📚 The script describes 'mathematical miseducation' as a widespread problem that leads to a lack of motivation and understanding among students.
• 💡 It points out the dangers of lacking mathematical literacy, such as being easily manipulated by misleading statistics and limited career opportunities.
• 😌 The speaker humorously illustrates the persuasive power of made-up statistics, showing how people are less critical when numbers are involved.
• 🌟 The potential of mathematical thinking is underscored through a workshop experience where it was described as 'like a God', indicating its transformative nature.
• 🤔 The script introduces five principles for incorporating thinking into math education, starting with asking questions rather than providing answers.
• 🕒 Principle two stresses the importance of giving students time to struggle with problems, fostering perseverance and genuine understanding.
• 🙅‍♂️ Principle three asserts that teachers and parents should not act as 'answer keys', encouraging students to explore and find answers themselves.
• 💬 Principle four encourages saying 'yes' to students' ideas, even incorrect ones, to promote active participation and respect for their thinking process.
• 🎲 Principle five promotes the idea that math is about exploration and play, not just following rules, which can lead to new mathematical inventions and understanding.
• 🏠 The speaker suggests that a home environment filled with play and games can nurture children's mathematical instincts and thinking.

Q & A

What is the main issue the speaker addresses regarding math education?

The speaker addresses the issue of 'mathematical miseducation', where math is often taught through repetition and memorization, leading to a lack of motivation and even a lifelong aversion to math among students.

Why does the speaker mention the importance of mathematical literacy?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of mathematical literacy because without it, individuals' career opportunities are limited, and they become vulnerable to manipulation by entities that use statistics to deceive.

What is the fabricated statistic mentioned by the speaker to illustrate a point?

The speaker mentions a fabricated statistic that inserting a single statistic into an assertion makes people 92 percent more likely to accept it without question, to demonstrate how easily people can be misled when they are not comfortable with math.

What does the speaker suggest as the starting point for a good math class?

The speaker suggests that a good math class should start with a question, rather than beginning with answers, to promote authentic thinking and curiosity among students.

What is the significance of the color-coded numbers example used by the speaker?

The color-coded numbers example is used to illustrate how starting with a question can lead to an engaging and mysterious exploration, which is more likely to stimulate real thinking and learning compared to simply memorizing steps.

Why is it important for students to struggle with a question according to the speaker?

Struggling with a question is important because it allows students to develop perseverance, curiosity, and observational skills, and it encourages them to take risks and engage in the learning process more deeply.

What is the role of the teacher according to the speaker's third principle?

According to the speaker's third principle, the teacher should not act as the 'answer key' but rather facilitate an environment where students can explore, question, and find answers together, turning math into an adventure.

What does the speaker mean by saying 'yes' to students' ideas and questions?

The speaker means that teachers should validate students' participation in the mathematical thinking process by accepting their ideas and questions, even if they are incorrect, to foster a respectful and empowering learning environment.

How does the speaker connect the idea of a number circle to the concept of modular arithmetic?

The speaker connects the idea of a number circle to modular arithmetic by explaining how accepting the notion that 2 plus 2 could equal 12 on a number circle leads to a valid mathematical system with practical applications, such as in cryptography.

What is the final principle the speaker offers for nurturing mathematical thinking?

The final principle the speaker offers is the importance of play in mathematics, suggesting that play is to mathematics what books are to reading, and that a home filled with mathematical play encourages the development of mathematical thinking.