Creating A Need To Learn
A Teaching Strategy That Has Students Super-Engaged in Mathematics
If you are a mathematics teacher, then there’s a fair chance you enjoy teaching young students how to solve equations. There’s also a fair chance you like to help remove the fear that many of your students have of algebra.
However, when it comes to teaching students how to solve equations - or re-teaching those who coped poorly with equations in previous years - it is common for the unit to go pear-shaped. In other words, students commence the unit on shaky ground and never quite recover, many of them winding up disillusioned and convinced that solving equations is stupid, meaningless and not for them.
However, when it comes to teaching students how to solve equations - or re-teaching those who coped poorly with equations in previous years - it is common for the unit to go pear-shaped. In other words, students commence the unit on shaky ground and never quite recover, many of them winding up disillusioned and convinced that solving equations is stupid, meaningless and not for them.
Allow me to describe (what I believe to be) a common scenario:
- You deliver your introduction to the solving of equations.
- You perhaps show the students a scary-looking equation that is well beyond their capability, to make the point that a method for solving equations is required.
- You then write a simple one-step equation on the board and proceed to show them a method for solving the one-step equation.
- Here the problems begin! Within approximately seven milliseconds, a small war begins to brew. Many of the students fight you in regard to having to use your method. They don’t want to use it. They don’t see a need to use it. They complain, they whinge. If not outwardly, then on the inside, because they can SEE the answer, so why should they follow your longer method?
- Two lessons later, the unit should be unfolding nicely. Students should be finding this ‘new-to-them kind of maths’ enjoyable and satisfying. However, on the contrary, many have switched off. You have an affinity with these students, but now the rapport between you is being tested. The engagement and compliance in the room are less than for previous topics. Some students who have always been onside are displaying signs of discontent.
- Of real concern is that your algebraic method - the one you really believe to be efficient and ideal for students to follow - is not being followed universally. Students are adding their own twists to your method resulting in incorrect answers and adding to their disillusion.
- This isn’t the first time you’ve seen an equations unit disappear down the gurgler like this - it has happened before. There has to be a better way.
Now OK, your situation may not be quite as bleak as the one described above. However, before you dismiss this article as irrelevant for you, check the bullets below to see if your experience of teaching equations matches the highlighted points.
What an Equations Unit Could/Should Look Like
- A 5-10 minute introduction that captures the students’ interest.
- Students then work through an activity which:
- Has students choosing the questions that they work on, with some constraints.
- Allows students to progress at their own pace.
- Allows students instant and repeated success.
- Keeps all students occupied.
- Has students ‘pleading’ with you for your algebraic method.
- I’ll state that again - rather than resisting using the algebraic method you teach them, students actively demand/plead/beg you to show them your method. (This isn’t an exaggeration.)
- The work is both teacher-directed (you are busy, giving lots of input to individuals, groups of students and to the whole class) as well as being student-centred (students experience some freedom re their progress).
- Differentiated instruction occurs naturally as it is a byproduct of the approach.
- Student engagement (in most situations) is ‘through the roof’. The worst-case scenario is that some students are not very engaged, yet significantly more engaged than normal and feel somewhat surprised at their ability to succeed with this apparently difficult type of mathematics.
How does your experience of teaching equations match up against these bullets? Are you Intrigued, interested? If yes then sign up for this free tutorial showcasing, in detail, the Need-Levels-Choice approach to solving equations.
About the Need-Levels-Choice Approach to Solving Equations
- This teaching approach works, folks, and from experience, it matches the What an equations unit could/should look like bullets above.
- The approach is easy to implement.
- The approach guides teachers explicitly so as to maximise the chance of success and to prevent some pitfalls that can occur when this approach is not implemented correctly.
- I’m repeating this because it is important - the approach is based on the idea of creating a need to learn in students.
The Ideal Algebraic Method
I need to mention the algebraic method. There’s quite a bit of noise in maths teacher circles about what the ideal algebraic method is. I think the algebraic method is less important than people think. It is important that you believe your algebraic method is the ‘best method’ and it’s important that it makes sense to students and is easy to follow. Beyond this, it is the pedagogy, i.e. the approach that incorporates the algebraic method, that is more important.
Critically, the key question is: “Does the approach instil in students a desire to learn your algebraic method?”
In regard to an algebraic method, the Need-Levels-Choice tutorial demonstrates some principles of presenting a method so that it makes sense to students. But other than that there is no emphasis on which method is best to use. The choice of an algebraic method is yours to make.
Critically, the key question is: “Does the approach instil in students a desire to learn your algebraic method?”
In regard to an algebraic method, the Need-Levels-Choice tutorial demonstrates some principles of presenting a method so that it makes sense to students. But other than that there is no emphasis on which method is best to use. The choice of an algebraic method is yours to make.
Why isn’t the tutorial part of this page?
Great question! There are three strong reasons why this is an article about the approach and not the tutorial of the approach:
- The tutorial needs to be followed closely. People typically skim-read articles but are more likely to follow the tutorial closely if they sign up for it.
- The tutorial needs some explaining - hence this article.
- Most teachers will not view a linear equations tutorial as high need. This article aims to present the case that all teachers can benefit from the Need-Levels-Choice approach - even those who have taught equations ‘a hundred times’.
Call to Action
Did the article raise some interesting points for you? Are you tempted to undertake the Need-Levels-Choice tutorial?
If you do undertake the tutorial, make sure you complete the feedback at the end. We’d love to know your thoughts.
If you do undertake the tutorial, make sure you complete the feedback at the end. We’d love to know your thoughts.
