We have a variety of ways of defining “effective” teaching math, corresponding to the variety of aims. One way undoubtedly takes in those methods of teaching math which encourage students to continue into scientific careers.
Other measures of effective math teaching are, that students should enjoy their science and thus obtain a better appreciation of the wonderful world in which they live and their place in it, hence effective math teaching depends on the different teaching strategies of the teacher.
Classification of Teaching Strategies
- Strategies Involving Interaction and Collaboration
It aims for the acquisition of knowledge often carried out through student-student interactions with the teacher . One of the best opportunities for the interactions to occur is within group work tasks in which students are expected to work and learn together in a group.
- Problem-solving–It is a complex process that requires the skills of imagination, planning, implementation, interpretation, analysis, and synthesis as well as communication. It needs time for reflection and exploration and students would be better prepared in finding solutions to their problems.
- Brainstorming-A simple strategy of group discussions designed to collect ideas on an unrestricted basis.The purpose of brainstorming is to remove inhibiting factors in order to promote group interaction.
- Field trips/Excursions–A simple strategy of group discussions designed to collect ideas on an unrestricted basis.The purpose of brainstorming is to remove inhibiting factors in order to promote group interaction.
- Laboratory Investigations-Kitchen Recipe” is the traditional type of this strategy in which students are provided with an activity sheet that contains the objectives, step-by-step procedures and the questions to be answered.
- Demonstrations-Teacher utilizes this strategy when she/he wants to show a situation or phenomenon, a new laboratory technique, or how to use a new equipment.
- Translation-The students are able to change ideas or information into different forms.With the new form the students will be able to understand the information better and relate it to new situations, or do further readings or investigations.
- Graphic Organizers-A strategy wherein students explore links between two or more related concepts
- Model Construction-Students acquire a broader understanding of concept when they construct models that represent the concepts.May be done following a step-by-step procedure using materials specified by the teacher or reference materials.
- Simulations and Games-Children and adolescents love to play and these are formalized expression of play. Simulations are abstractions of the real world involving objects, processes, or situations while games are activities with goals, rules and rewards. Games are informal while simulations are more structures.
- Strategies Involving Transformation-Transformation is a strategy which allows the students to convert their learning from one medium to another.
- Role Playing- It provides opportunities for students to research and understand issues from the perspective of a particular person; respond to and analyze a range of viewpoints about an issue with the intention of reaching a personal view on the issue.
- Film, Film Slides, and Videos-There are several reasons for the use of film, film slides, and videos as teaching materials:
1. they can make the introduction of new concepts more interesting.
2. they can provide better support/ reinforcement to concepts which are difficult to visualize.
3. they can suggest issues and questions for investigations or persuade students to a point of view.
By: CHARITO G. BALUYOT | Teacher III | Limay National High School | Limay, Bataan
