May Q 450 Blog

  Bibliography: 1. Shaileigh, P. (2015) Modelling Teachers’ Promotion of Powerful Positive Affect in the Primary Mathematics Classroom. Transforming the future of learning with educational research ,(51-78),Information Science Reference This chapter describes and analyses teachers’ promotion of powerful positive affect in primary mathematics classrooms. The author uses a conceptual model to summarize the factors influencing teachers’ work in this area. We want to  2.  Quist, M.E. (2015) Exploring positive learning experiences in the community college mathematics classroom in a midwestern state: a qualitative study ,ProQuest LLC This book focuses on the motivational and other positive learning elements present within optimum moments of college mathematics learning. Data were collected through small group and individual interviews. The findings demonstrated that moments of exceptional learning motivation and experience in college-level mathematics courses may be associated ...

 We listed some topics that we want to talk about: 1. SEL Learning : Students’ emotional responses to others How students could manage their own emotions / identify other’s emotions and deal with them correctly (mutual relationships between students)  2. Tools and strategies for an effective classroom . 3. Factors that affect students’  level of attention and efficiency in learning . 4. May: For engagement : variety of exercises, variety of routine, not the same thing every time, let student lead the learning  5. Cheryl: more choices and trust 6. Cheryl: reasons for not answering the questions & consequences 7.  May: interview from SA celebrating mistakes create a safe environmen t , promoting all the curricular competencies and social values  8. Equity unique attention, there is no favorite student, (Cheryl) 9. External factors (family situations ,socioeconomic status, etc and whether or how we should deal with them  (discussion)  10. Chery...

In our breakout room we discussed the idea that thinking critically and scientifically is actually a priviledge. One of the group members talked about how in ancient times it's usually the nobles doing scientific research and engaging in critical thinking due to their privileged lifestyles. Nowadays of course, many people enjoy the privilege of being educated and not worrying too much about food /shelter, so people start to have more leisure time to think about things scientifically/critically. It is for sure an important skill to teach the students because we live in a democratic world, in which everyone would have the chance to vote. Hence, these skills should be developed at an early stage so that the kids could grow into a mature adult with independent thoughts on current events. We should teach them how to ask "why" in mathematics, as well as in other areas.

One thing that made me stop was that people are literally saying "It didn't happen" or "It was a fluke" when new observations occur, out of one's expections. It is common for human beings to avoid new knowledge because they want to fall back to their own comfort zones. It feels good to stay where you are and not bring in new surprises to the "old comfort world". However, this is not the scientific spirit. We should also teach our students to explore the world beyond their previous expectations and norms and tell them that it's okay to do so. It's okay to challenge ourselves and to challenge the "experts" as long as the idea is well-justified. Another thing that made me stop was that ""If not now, when?" IF the undergraduate years are devoted to getting the grades to get into graduate school, and .....and the first several years of this assistant professorship are devoted to getting tenure, then are you going to do...

When I read the Iranian mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani, I’m   aware of how hard it could be for a woman of that time period to compete in the mathematics field. I believe that she must have overcome many challenges and prejudices against women mathematicians, especially when she is also Iranian. However, her interest led her down the road and she is never stopping. As noted, “Maryam’s work was driven by a certain pure joy”. Anyone could be a mathematician regardless of their age, gender and ethnicity. For the stereotypes, scientists are usually men, middle-aged men... with heavy glasses. They tend to be a little bit nerdy... I think it’s almost the same for mathematicians, except that mathematicians are even more unsociable and stay alone more often. Neither of these professions has many women in them. Well, stereotypes always say that some people are not good at something but it’s not the case.   When Mirzakhani was in sixth grade, in Tehran, a teacher discouraged ...

  1.      Define your question Search Topic: How to create a productive and healthy learning environment?   2.      Analyze your topic into concepts Concept A Concept B Concept C Factors that affects student’s   level of attention and efficiency in learning. Physically, emotionally,  psychologically SEL Students’ emotional responses to the class and to others How students could manage their own emotions / identify other’s emotions and deal with them correctly  (mutual relationship between students) External factors (family situations ,socioeconomic status, etc ) and whether or how we should deal with them.   I noticed in my high school that teachers are not doing a great job in engaging the students to learn or effectively transmit the knowledge. As a new teacher I’m also worried about not being able to m...

 In today's class, I learned how to make the rope with some grass. We also watched a video showing the Indigenous people making ropes out of the natural resources to build a bridge. It is amazing how people could use these materials to live better. This also makes me to think about whether we really need to use so many modern materials which are hard to decompose. I think today's lesson not only integrated Indigenous knowledge into the classroom but also makes the lesson more fun. If we use this type of learning in our own classroom it should be more effective than just asking the students to sit and take notes every time. Even if we could not use this method in the majority of the classes, we could at least use this for several classes to enhance student learning, build connections, boost their interest in doing math,  and raise their awareness of the Indigenous culture at the same time.