Every school of thought requires understanding. In the present set of school subjects in the classroom, all requires the proper attention and corresponding interest to enable a learner in gaining knowledge.
In English, it is not enough to write the words with their correct spelling and read with them with flawless diction and articulation without the comprehension of what has been written or spoken. The same is true with Mathematics, wherein the essence of learning is in the conceptual understanding of the numbers and the subject by itself. This makes math a very challenging subject matter to deal with. Aside from accuracy, the analytical process needed in problem solving in order to arrive at the correct answer can bring excitement and a sense of accomplishment when completed.
Conceptual understanding refers to an integrated and functional grasp of mathematical ideas. With the use of conceptual understanding, learners will be surprised in knowing the encompassing benefits that they can gain from it which are as follows: First, it will enable them to draw more than isolated facts and methods; Second, they will understand why a mathematical idea is important and the contexts in which it is useful; and Third, they can organize their knowledge in a coordinated manner which will enable them to learn new ideas by connecting them to what they already know.
In addition, conceptual understanding also supports retention because the facts and methods learned from the lessons when connected will be easier to remember and put into application. With a practical sense, once the student understand fully well a method, it is unlikely to remember them incorrectly. Aside from it, they can explore more on what they have learned with the possible ways of reconstructing the solution process to get the correct.
In doing so, every learner is advised to incorporate conceptual understanding in their study not only for the gain of academic benefits but as a helpful instrument in which they can apply in most their activities in school. Comprehension in English and conceptual understanding in Math can transform a day in the student’s life to relieved interest.
By: BELLA AURORA L. YUMENA | Teacher III | Bataan National High School | Balanga City, Bataan
