Question: On our campus we are trying to assess student's critical thinking
and reading and writing abilities by selecting some classes to read pro and
con articles about some particular topic. When the class is in the social
sciences, we try to pick a social science topic. If the class is math, we
try to pick a math topic. Does anyone have a suggestion for some articles
about a pro and con regarding some math topic, or some topic that involves
mathematics? This could be academic, such as the pros and cons of using
graphers in Beginning Algebra, or it could be more along the lines of the
pros and cons (i.e. the validity or lack of validity) of making predictions
based on mathematical models.
Response:
John,
Keep us informed how it goes. Here is a structured get-acquainted activity
that I use the first day of class.
I first put students in pairs. The students choose who is student #1 and
who is student #2. If there are an odd number of students, I pair up with
one of the students.
For 1 1/2 minutes (which is a long time) without interuption, student #1
tells student #2 anything he wants to disclose about himself. (I use my
watch and second hand and say "start" and "stop.")
Then for 1/2 minute student #2 repeats back to student #1 a summary of what
was said.
The the activity is then repeated with student #2 the talker and student #1
the listener.
Then I put the students in groups of four. (Although 4 students per group
is ideal, there might have to be one group of 6.) Each student then
introduces his/her partner to the other pair. I let this activity continue
until each group is done. If some groups get done early (which they will) I
encourage them to continue to "get acquainted."
For the final step, each student then introduces a student in her larger
group but not her original partner to the entire class. This seems to break
the ice.
Martha
-----Original Message-----
From: John Gann <john@mail.fm>
To: Subscribers MATHEDCC <mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu>
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 1999 9:50 PM
Subject: Re: [MATHEDCC] student communication
>I've been reading with great interest on everyone's experience in these
>matters. I'm eager to try them in my class. I wonder if they'll work in a
>culture where communication in the classroom is discouraged from 1st grade
on?
>This goes beyond normal reluctance to express oneself, it's almost taboo to
>vocalize in the classroom.
>
>Rob Kimball wrote:
>
>> Communication is important and the ideas that have been
>> shared are very good.
>
>
>
>--
>John R Gann
>Chair, Division of Natural Science and Mathematics
>College of Micronesia - FSM
> PO Box 159
> Pohnpei, FM 96941
>AOL Instant Messenger: Mathletics
>Homepage: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mathlete/home.htm
>
>"Tough guys don't do math. Tough guys fry chicken for a living."
> - Jaime Escalante
>
>
>
>
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