Maths+and+E5

IMHO, the only way to learn maths has always been through a constructivist approach. Learning mathematics is by learning through stages of knowledge-built up and tied thinking processes

In mathematics, there are conventions, mathematical properties and symbolics with specific meaning that students must be aware or/and adhered to. Unlike living human languages, mathematical language is all about precision, use to aid/establish thought process and to communicate with others.

I have been taught to engage students by provoking their thinking processes before introducing them any new concept. At times, I find it difficult to find provocation materials that are connected to the yet-to-be introduced concepts, easier to find any random materials. There are so many progressive stages and associated concepts in Mathematics. These made it difficult to implement a typical inquiry learning approach whereby students ‘runs about' according to their interests. Learning by doing is a very important part of mathematics. Students are exploring and learning concept with specially designed exercises-they save times and have coverage that ensures students are ready for the next learning stage. I would argue that this stage is equivalent to the explore and explain stages of E5. This stage also allows assessment as learning by students through the feedback by teachers or by checking against the answers provided for the exercises. I think the elaboration stage is also contained in the set exercises, although it separated as applications and analysis part of exercises.

What do you think?