Department of Teacher Education
Transcription
Department of Teacher Education
Enhancing mathematical thinking in Finnish elementary school mathematics - pedagogical models (and modelling) Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Department of Teacher Education University of Helsinki, Finland www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto Where is Finland? Finland is in the North Europe, part of the Nordic countries Finland is located by the Arctic Circle… …and the home of the REAL Santa Claus is in the Finnish Lapland! Finland in facts • Population: 5.4 million, 17 inhabitants / km2 • Languages: Finnish (spoken by 91%) Swedish (~ 5%) Sámi (about 1,800 people) • Religion: 79.9% Lutheran and about 1.1% Orthodox, other 1.7 % and none 17.7 % • Independence: Declared on December 6, 1917. Previously a grand duchy in the Russian empire (1809-1917), and before that, a part of Sweden for 600 years • Currency unit: Euro • Area: 338,424 km² • Capital: Helsinki (population ~600 000) Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 3 Outline of the presentation 1) Mathematics education aiming at development of mathematical thinking 2) Pedagogical models (and modelling) A. The use of manipulatives and illustrations B. Inductive approach to elementary school mathematics C. Word problems and problem solving 3) Concluding remarks Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 4 Aiming at development of mathematical thinking Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 5 National core curriculum: mathematics education (1/2) • the significance of developing mathematical thinking skills ... offering opportunities for the development of mathematical thinking and for the learning of mathematical concepts and the most widely used problem-solving methods. The discipline's concrete nature serves as an important aid in bringing together the pupil's experiences and systems of thought with the abstract system of mathematics. Modelling is hardly mentioned in the curriculum! Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 (FNBE, 2004) www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 6 National core curriculum: mathematics education (2/2) • Links with everyday life and practical problems • The use of concrete materials and illustrations supporting conceptual and procedual understanding • Various ways to process mathematical tasks and give reasons for solutions • oral and written communication, the use of manipulatives, illustrations and symbolic expressions Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 (FNBE, 2004) www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 7 Teachers in Finnish elementary school • is typically qualified to teach all 13 school subjects at grades 1 to 6 • has a Master’s level university degree (3+2 years, 300 credit points in total) • majoring in educational sciences / psychology • only 7 cp dedicated to mathematics education • Teachers are considered as autonomous academic professionals who • choose learning materials and take full responsibility for teaching and learning in the classroom • design and carry out assessment Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 8 Characteristics of Finnish school system (1/2) • responsibility at the local level: neither school ranking, national exams nor pre-evaluation of learning materials • Compulsory and intended instruction time of an elementary teacher is 667 lessons per year NOTE: the number of teaching hours does not reflect explicitly the teachers’ total workload Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 (FNBE Kyrö, 2012) www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 9 Characteristics of Finnish school system (2/2) • Total amount of lesson hours in 9-years comprehensive school is 5,750 (cf. OECD average 6,500; max. Italy 8,300) • 32 weekly mathematics lessons (~ 3.5 lessons per week) • Schools are of various sizes and rather small in average • About 44% of all schools <100 pupils (12% of all pupils) • About 22% of all schools >300 pupils (54% of all pupils) • Average class size at elementary leve is 19.8 (OECD 21.4) (FNBE Kyrö, 2012) Department of Teacher Education Heidi Krzywacki EDUVISIT, November 22, 2012 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto Pedagogical models (and modelling) in mathematics education Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 11 Learning mathematics: students have an active role A child is seen as an active and social learner who is basically willing and motivated to learn as well as capable for self-regulated process • thinking at concrete level (Piaget, Galperin) • embodied cognition (tactile and kinestetic approach) • verbalization and oral communication (also performing initiatives) • support to building up self-efficacy (Erikson) • positive learning experiences, assessment and feedback Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 12 Learning arithmetic mathematical concepts V E R B A L I Z A T I O N 1. Concrete strategies • Conceptual understanding based on concrete models and illustration • manipulatives • illustrations and figures • images of the use of the concrete 2. Mental strategies • conceptual understanding and processes without images of the concrete • One or more steps are embodied in the arithmetic processes 3. Automatizised conceptual understanding Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto Learning arithmetic mathematical concepts V E R B A L I Z A T I O N 1. Concrete strategies • Conceptual understanding based on concrete models and illustration •demonstration in frontal teaching • manipulatives • manipulatives used by individual • illustrations and figures (or by pairs) • images of the usestudents of the concrete •together with teacher guidance 2. Mental strategies •students in their own pace • conceptual understanding and processes without images of8the + 5concrete = 8 + 2 + 3 = 13 • One or more steps are embodied in the arithmetic processes127 + 38 = 127 + 30 + 8 = 157 + 8 = 165 or = 127 + 3 + 35 = 130 + 35 = 165 3. Automatizised conceptual understanding etc. © Hellevi Putkonen www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto Pedagogical models (and modelling) in mathematics education A. The use of manipulatives and illustrations B. Inductive approach to elementary school mathematics C. Word problems and problem solving Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 15 A . The use of manipulatives and illustrations • manipulatives and illustrations play a helpful role in learning mathematics, especially in enhancing conceptual understanding and also in problem solving e.g., attribute blocks, geometric shapes of different colours and sizes; counting cubes, base ten blocks, fraction pieces, number line, surface model etc. • BUT these are potentially confusing if their presentation is haphazard, disorganized, or lacking appropriate guidance and instruction from the teacher teacher’s training and pedagogical thinking (!) Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 16 A . The use of manipulatives and illustrations Getting to know different kinds of concrete materials (manipulatives)... 0,03 17 A . The use of manipulatives and illustrations ... and learning how to use materials and models 18 A . The use of manipulatives and illustrations In teacher education student teachers • acquire knowledge and skills (cognitive potential) to use manipulatives and illustrations • learn how to make (abstract) and formal mathematics approachable • get to understand what school mathematics is about and the meaning of well-structured and meaningful instruction EXPERIENCE makes a difference! www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 19 Pedagogical models (and modelling) in mathematics education A. The use of manipulatives and illustrations B. Inductive approach to elementary school mathematics C. Word problems and problem solving Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 20 B. Inductive approach to mathematics • Individual cases as a basis for understanding mathematical rules and facts • investigating phenomena through student work e.g., commutativeness (a + b = b + a), the sum of angles of a triangle, calculating the area of parallelogram etc. A teacher needs to guide students to find general notions based on their investigations students’ previous knowledge and skills form a starting-point for investigations Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 21 B. Inductive approach: The sum of angles of a triangle 1. Introductory phase 2. Examining and finding the mathematical rule 3. Rehearsing 4. Limitations of the rule • Previous knowledge about triangles and angles each student draws a triangle (or a teacher gives triangles of different shapes and size) setting the aim for investigation Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 22 B. Inductive approach: The sum of angles of a triangle 1. Introductory phase 2. Examining and finding the mathematical rule 3. Rehearsing 4. Limitations of the rule • Examining the triangles: measuring angles and guiding students to make notes about their measurement listing outcomes of student work and letting students to figure out that the overall sum of angles is 180° Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 23 B. Inductive approach: The sum of angles of a triangle • Applying new knowledge and rehearsing 1. Introductory phase 2. Examining and finding the mathematical rule 3. Rehearsing 4. Limitations of the rule various tasks making sure that all students understand Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 24 B. Inductive approach: The sum of angles of a triangle 1. Introductory phase 2. Examining and finding the mathematical rule 3. Rehearsing 4. Limitations of the rule • Summing up the investigative session and its outcome the sum of angles of a triangle applies with all triangles but not with other shapes Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 25 B. Inductive approach to mathematics In teacher education student teachers • get familiar with inductive approach as a method in mathematics classroom discuss which contents can be approached especially through inductive approach and student investigations a special challenge is to have an impact on student teachers’ views of school mathematics Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 26 Pedagogical models (and modelling) in mathematics education A. The use of manipulatives and illustrations B. Inductive approach to elementary school mathematics C. Word problems and problem solving Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 27 C. Word problems and problem solving • Writing down and drawing 1. All information given in the initial task 2. Drawing a picture or other illustration (using manipulatives) 3. All steps of the solving process 4. Finding the solution(s) and reasons behind it • Making the problem solving process visible support to the process and understanding communicating mathematics with others becoming aware of personal problem solving process and reflecting on the process Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 28 C. Word problems and problem solving: Word problem ’Flying witches’ Altogether 20 witches are to travel to magic mountains by 8 brooms. Each broom can fit 4 witches at the most but each broom must have at least 2 witches. Find out how all witches can travel to the mountain. Solve the problem above and reflect on the problem solving process and the strategies you used in finding the solution. NOTE: illustrate and communicate your problem solving process as accurately as possible. Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 29 C. Word problems and problem solving: Word problem ’Flying witches’ Illustration Describing the process Mathematical formulation Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto Reasoning 30 C. Word problems and problem solving: Word problem ’Rolls for sale’ Class 4A sells packages of rolls at the school ‘s Xmas market. A package of rolls includes 4 whole wheat rolls and 3 small breads made out of organic rye. Altogether 4 packages are sold before noon. How many rolls are then sold? Start solving the problem by drawing a picture of the situation and then continue with formulating an equation describing the situation based on your picture. 4+3 Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 31 C. Word problems and problem solving: Word problem ’Rolls for sale’ Class 4A sells packages of rolls at the school ‘s Xmas market. A package of rolls includes 4 whole wheat rolls and 3 small breads made out of organic rye. Altogether 4 packages are sold before noon. How many rolls are then sold? 4 · (4 + 3) Start solving the problem by drawing a picture of the situation and then continue with formulating an equation describing the situation based on your picture. Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 32 C. Word problems and problem solving In teacher education student teachers • …learn the basics about problem solving • … have an experience of solving problems and analysing process a special challenge is to help improving teachers’ self-confidence and willingness to carry out problem solving activities in their classroom subject matter knowledge posing problems and guidance Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 33 Concluding remarks Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 34 1. Reachable aims and differentiation • Developing activities suitable for different kind of learners • What is(are) the objective(s) of the activity? • Reflecting on how well the chosen tasks worked in the classroom and how to modify them if needed? • Assessment procedures should reflect the nature of teaching and learning Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 2. Paying attention to affective aspects • becoming aware of personal strategies and qualities as a mathematics learner • commucating (sharing) with others verbalization • positive experiences and encouragement avoiding categorisation in the classroom based on mathematical performance ’everyone can do mathematics’ routine tasks are also needed Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 3. Approaching mathematics through pupils’ eyes • Concrete abstract • The contextualisation of mathematical tasks should be close to children’s everyday life or something they find easy to approach • Mathematical performance (thinking) is not only performed through correct symbolic expressions • Manipulatives and illustrations • sensitiveness for understanding pupils’ ways of thinking Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 4. Resources and materials supporting school teaching • Teachers need support in enhancing their practice in mathematics classroom, for example, suitable tasks and pedagogical ideas learning materials (textbooks and worksheets) teacher guide books (pedagogical support for teachers) computer-aided teaching and learning Not only materials but also education that supports teachers (and schools) to enhance their practice Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto 4. Resources and materials... 39 Kiitos! Further information Finnish National Board of Education FNBE, (2004). National Core Curriculum for Basic Education. www.oph.fi/english Kyrö, M. (2012). International comparisons of some features of Finnish education and training. FNBE. http://www.oph.fi/english/publications/2012/international_com parisons_of_some_features_of_finnish_education_and_traini ng_2011 Ministry of Education and Culture http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/?lang=en Department of Teacher Education (UH) http://www.helsinki.fi/teachereducation/ E-mail: Heidi.Krzywacki@helsinki.fi Department of Teacher Education Dr. Heidi Krzywacki Modelling Conference, January 10, 2013 www.helsinki.fi/yliopisto