Helping Students Make Sense of Mathematics
Department
Mathematics
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2006
Abstract
The article discusses how teachers can help their students make mathematics meaningful. The practice in mathematics is imperative, however, the opportunity for students to investigate mathematics and to make conjectures and draw conclusions on their own is lacking. It is suggested that the powerful objective for the teachers to do is make students develop important mathematical formulae, theorems, and processes for themselves and then practice using them. Reducing the amount of time that students spend copying notes during class and providing them handouts that allows them to analyze data would be an effective strategy. Also, teaching must focus on why mathematics work and not on how to do the mathematical procedures.