What Do We Mean by Doing Mathematics: Reflection on Jean Piaget's Quote
This week we will explore what do we mean by doing mathematics. To many of us, math is/was a problem that was meant to be solved by following a set of procedures that were taught to us ( lectured) S you read the assigned readings, I want you to consider whether what is being discussed in the texts is consistent with how you were taught.
For your discussion, I would like you to reflect on this quote by Jean Piaget - "Each time one prematurely teaches a child something he could have discovered himself, that child is kept from inventing it and consequently from understanding it completely." - Piaget 1970. What does the above quote mean to you? How do you think that statement might affect the way math is taught to a child? Do you feel that statement is consistent with how you learned math? How does this quote correlate with what you have read this week.
1. Van de Walle Chapter 1: Setting a Vision for Learning High-Quality Mathematics
2. Geist, E. (2006). Children are Born Mathematicians: Encouraging and Promoting Early Mathematical Concepts in Children under Five. Retrieved from: http://www(dot)waece(dot)org/cdlogicomatematicas/ponencias/eugenegist_pon_ing.htm
Reflection on Jean Piaget’s Quote
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Reflection on Jean Piaget’s Quote
Piaget quote on the children understanding of the new concept is crucial in modern teaching techniques. This quote implies that children should be given ample time to develop their thoughts instead of exposing them to new concepts. By giving them adequate time, they will have ample brain development to help them learn more about their surroundings and interactions. Consequently, the child can question certain occurrences and make discoveries by themselves.
The quote impacts how mathematic concepts are taught in the modern day. In mathematics, children will have to identify certain problems and provide the necessary solutions for them to be rendered to have understanding (de Walle). However, for many children, these new concepts will often take much time to grasp. Due to the time and exam pressure, the child will have to go through those problems, which is a good example of what Piaget called premature teach...