{"id":1306,"date":"2010-12-29T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2010-12-29T13:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mathgradblog.williams.edu\/?p=1306"},"modified":"2013-04-05T01:36:49","modified_gmt":"2013-04-05T01:36:49","slug":"math-is-not-linear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ams.org\/mathgradblog\/2010\/12\/29\/math-is-not-linear\/","title":{"rendered":"Math is not linear!"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Tyler Clark<\/a><\/p>\n

Some time ago I came across Prezi<\/a>, a rather neat presentation software. Its effects go beyond that of Microsoft PowerPoint. They have a search feature on their website and I of course (being a math junkie) searched for “mathematics.” One of the presentations I found that I really enjoyed was created by Alison Blank and is titled “Math is Not Linear.” It is mainly geared towards high school teachers, but it has a lot of thought provoking ideas that we could all use as a learning tool. You can view it at\u00a0http:\/\/prezi.com\/aww2hjfyil0u\/math-is-not-linear\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In her presentation, Blank talks about teaching math in hierarchical steps. She notes that,<\/p>\n

A background of certain skills can be helpful before you set out exploring.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

She suggests that it is the common belief that “…mastery of one subject is a prerequisite for dabbling another…” She goes on to say that this is a complete fallacy. She presents five arguments for not teaching math in a linear order. These arguments are,<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. It’s not motivating.<\/li>\n
  2. It prevents students from being exposed to topics they might enjoy.<\/li>\n
  3. It fosters anxiety by turning mathematics into a race.<\/li>\n
  4. It hinders understanding by obscuring the big picture.<\/li>\n
  5. It spreads misunderstanding about what mathematics is.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Blank goes on to describe ways that teachers can change their teaching techniques to better help students. These suggestions are,<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Go on tangents.<\/li>\n
    2. Foreshadow.<\/li>\n
    3. Relate material back to previous classes.<\/li>\n
    4. Be less helpful! Let students tell you what they need to know.<\/li>\n
    5. Teach an elective.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      I have just given an outline of her ideas. View her presentation for the full scope of her thoughts. I would love to hear what you think about Blank’s ideas. Also, if you know of any other good online presentations about mathematics, please share them with us.<\/p>\n

      <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      by Tyler Clark Some time ago I came across Prezi, a rather neat presentation software. Its effects go beyond that of Microsoft PowerPoint. They have a search feature on their website and I of course (being a math junkie) searched … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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