March 24, 2020 04:00 PM EST -
March 24, 2020 04:00 PM EST
Although there is not universal consensus on what mathematics content should be taught, there is consensus that whatever is taught should be taught with understanding. And, we know from research that there is an instructional model for teaching mathematics that helps all students build understanding. That model begins with selecting and implementing tasks or problems that elicit productive cognitive struggle. Productive struggle means students use reasoning and problem-solving processes to select, apply, and connect prior knowledge to new mathematical ideas; connecting prior knowledge to new ideas is the foundation for understanding. This session will illustrate the kind of instruction that elects cognitive struggle, it will illustrate signs that students are engaged in productive struggle, and it will illustrate ways teachers can support students in productive struggle.
