Links to other websites and articles
Educational research journalsWebsites we enjoyDan Meyer's blog always has some interesting ideas.
Interesting ArticlesRelational Understanding and Instrumental Understanding, Skemp (1976)
This article is a classic, cited all over the world of academia. Skemp introduces relational understanding as "knowing both what to do and why" (p. 89) and instrumental understanding as the ability to execute mathematical rules and procedures. Skemp asks "if it is accepted that these two categories are both well-fitted, by those pupils and teachers whose goals are respectively relational and instrumental understanding (by the pupil), two questions arise. First, does this matter? And second, is one kind better than the other?" (p. 89) Skemp admits his longstanding assumptions that relational understanding is better, but questions then when so many mathematics teachers and texts focus on instrumental understanding. With the perspectives and conflict made clear, Skemp admits that "I used to think that maths teachers were all teaching the same subject, some doing it better than others. I now believe that there are two effectively different subjects being taught under the same name, 'mathematics' (p. 91). Why Teach Mathematics? Ernest (2010) Mathematics as a Weapon in the Struggle, Gutstein (2012) "Africa Counts" and Ethnomathematics, Zaslavsky (1994) |
Lists of lists of articlesImproving Teaching website
Teacher head CEM Joining BELMAS for a year gives free membership and some journal access. Valuable books on TeachingMichael Marland's Craft of the Classroom is a concise and genuinely helpful resource for teachers who are just starting out, and without a PGCE.
Well being and teachingWe have recently been thinking a lot in the department about teacher well-being, and what steps can be taken going forward. This subsection is a repository of relevant articles and papers.
Looking After Teaching Wellbeing Staff Wellbeing From Mindtools.com: Time management mistakes and how to avoid them 11 ways to get more exercise Mindfulness in the workplace Women in LeadershipHarvard Business Review:
Creative problem solvingAdvice from a contributor! Sidney Parnes has written a number of very good books on the subject. Tudor Rickards is a good starting point. Michael Kirton’s work on Adaptors and Innovators is also helpful.
Strengthening the student toolboxStudy strategies to boost learning by John Dunlosky
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Videos
"Teaching is giving opportunities to students to discover things by themselves" - George Pólya
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Ken Robinson's inspiring talk on education and creativity.
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Tim Gowers on the Importance of Mathematics - a long, but deep and rewarding, lecture, from one of the top academics alive today. Food for thought for teachers.
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