Learn Concept Maths – Why?

There are a lot of reasons behind learning maths in all possible ways as the subject is considered to be amongst one of the most practical and high end subjects that hold a lot of significance in the present times. It goes without saying that with the proper knowledge of the subject, individuals can find a lot of success in a short period of time. While the subject may be difficult in the beginning, concept maths tends to get much easier in the near future as it only requires some determination and a good amount of motivation in the process.

Decision Making Skills

A major reason behind learning concept maths is the fact that through it, individuals get the ability to make decisions in a much better and faster way. This sort of maths tends to enhance the overall thinking skills within an individual and only through them is a person likely to become a better decision maker and that too, in a short period of time. With high end and enhanced decision making skills, individuals get the ability to do much better in many day to day situations in comparison with many others who do not possess these skills in the first place. Hence, focusing on this type of maths has been highly recommended to everyone out there.

Logic & Reasoning Skills

On the other hand, people who spend their time in learning all there is about this kind of maths are able to acquire a much profound knowledge regarding logic as well as reasoning. With these skills, individuals are able to stand out from all the other kinds of people who oppose them in discussions as well as many other such things, for instance debates. With the help of this sort of maths, all the concepts of people regarding the subject are cleared off, which means that they can easily use it for the purpose of proving a point or anything else as such without having to struggle too much in the matter.

Critical Thinking Skills

Concept maths is also important to learn due to the fact that it enables people to achieve a good amount of critical thinking, which is necessary especially when it comes to the matter of analyzing something. This quality cannot be achieved without spending a good amount of time in the process of learning this unique subject and even many studies have shed light on the fact that it is indeed maths which helps people in the process of achieving an adequate amount of critical thinking skills, which can be impossible to attain otherwise.

Knowledge of Maths

Moreover, due to the study of this subject, individuals can go on to enhance their knowledge regarding many mathematical concepts as well as basics. They can also go on to advanced maths and achieve a huge amount of knowledge of this branch of the subject. Clearing away all of the doubts regarding mathematical concepts are only possible by studying this branch of maths as through it, everyone can straighten out their concepts and also acquire a good amount of knowledge regarding mathematical theories in the long run. Due to these reasons, learning maths has become a necessity for people in the present times.

Learning Concept Maths – Is it worth it?

In regards with maths being one of the most beneficial and exclusive subjects to date, the statement surely holds a lot of truth to it, which is precisely why more and more individuals can be seen to be studying the subject at school, college as well as university level. Learning the subject also allows people to enjoy a wide range of many career options and it also gives them the ability to acquire a huge amount of success within a short period of time. 

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Teaching Primary and Preschool Maths Using Multiple Intelligences (PART 1)

Yong Lee Min and Suriani Othman

West View Primary School

Singapore

Paper presented at the ERAS Conference 2011

Singapore

(3498 words)
ABSTRACT

This paper documents the journey which West View Primary School (WVPS) went through in the teaching of Mathematics using Multiple Intelligences (MI). The ideation and evaluation processes led to an innovative prototype which not only met the learning needs of pupils but also served as a tool for the capacity-building of teachers. The prototype was trialled on Primary 4 pupils in 2008, and implemented to Primary 1 to Primary 6 by 2010. As part of our school’s TLLM Ignite1 project in 2008, we have carried out an action research on a study that investigates how the incorporation of teacher-developed activities based on the theory of MI impacts pupils’ engagement, motivation, attitude and achievement in the learning of Mathematics.

A total of 140 low and average-ability Primary 4 pupils and three teachers were involved in this project. Post-intervention data indicated improved attitude and an increase in pupil’s motivation and engagement. Pupils taught through MI also produced higher achievement scores in their post-intervention tests. Teachers have also gained professionally from this project. The success of the project led to a refinement of the prototype and an emergent model for MI-based lessons in the teaching of Mathematics in WVPS.

TEACHING MATHEMATICS THROUGH

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

 INTRODUCTION

Mathematics has always been an unpopular subject amongst the majority of pupils in the school. Pupils tend to dislike Mathematics as they are not able to achieve their desired academic scores. Some pupils even develop fear and anxiety in the subject. Through the TLLM Ignite1 project, the school hopes to develop in pupils a love for Mathematics. We believe that pupils have different dominant intelligences, and they can be better engaged if we use multiple bridges to reach out to them in the teaching of Mathematics.

According to the Singapore Mathematics Syllabus for primary schools (MOE, 2007), “the primary aim of the Mathematics curriculum is to enable students to develop their ability in mathematical problem solving. The attainment of problem solving ability is dependent on five interrelated components – Concepts, Skills, Processes, Attitudes and Metacognition. Students’ attitudes towards Mathematics are shaped by their learning experiences. Making the learning of Mathematics fun, meaningful and relevant goes a long way in inculcating positive attitudes towards the subject.” Hence, by addressing the attitudinal aspect in the learning of Mathematics, through the teacher-developed activities based on the theory of MI, pupils will be fully engaged in their learning, understand concepts better and most importantly, enjoy the learning of Mathematics.

The traditional approach for learning in Mathematics creates passive learners.  In order for pupils to take an active role in Mathematics, it is important to engage the learners (Bednar, Coughlin, Evans, & Sievers, 2002). Engaged learning is an active involvement in the learning process (Soh & Tan, 2008). According to Fredricks, Blumenfeld and Paris (2004), “pupil engagement is a multi-faceted construct that includes affective, behavioural and cognitive dimensions”. All the three dimensions are interrelated and are equally important in engaged learning. Teaching through MI is a great example of strategies for engaged learning.

Howard Gardner (1991) believed in different learning styles and identified eight intelligences. According to Gardner, all individuals have a blend of the eight following intelligences:

• verbal-linguistic – the intelligence of words,
• logical-mathematical – the intelligence of numbers and reasoning,
• visual-spatial – the intelligence of pictures and images,
• musical-rhythmical – the intelligence of tone, rhythm and timbre,
• bodily-kinesthetic – the intelligence of the whole body and the hands,
• interpersonal – the intelligence of social interactions,
• intrapersonal –the intelligence of self-knowledge and
• naturalistic – the intelligence of the world and nature around us.

Chapman (1993) stated that each person is born with all eight intelligences, but because of cultural differences some intelligences develop more than others do.

Gardner (1993) stated that an instructional technique that is heavily reliant on one of the intelligences minimizes opportunities for pupils who may not possess a propensity to learn in this way. These students, who may not achieve in the traditional way, may become lost to both the school and the community at large. Creating opportunities for all pupils, by enriching the classroom through MI, develops pupils and brings out their strengths.

Gardner (1999) suggested there are many ways to motivate children, depending on how they learn. More meaningful material can spark pupils’ natural curiosity about the world around them. In order to arouse curiosity, Robinson, Silver and Strong (1995) suggested that two things need to be accomplished: make learning a mystery to be solved by the pupils, and have content related to their lives. Pupils become bored if a teacher becomes apathetic with the subject matter, when pupils receive work that is not meaningful to them, or if curriculum lacks variety. The intention to use MI is to use more ways rather than one traditional method to reach out to pupils. The logical-mathematical intelligence is not a strength in many pupils. Teaching Mathematics to the other intelligences will strengthen their logical-mathematical intelligence (Bednar et al., 2002).

Hoerr (2002) stated that the effectiveness of MI is supported by the findings of a study conducted by Harvard’s Project Zero. In interviewing the principals of 41 schools using MI, 78% of them said that their schools had realized gains on standardized achievement scores and 63% attributed the growth to practices inspired by MI theory. Not surprisingly, the use of MI paid other benefits in these schools as well: 78% of the schools reported improved performances by students having learning difficulties, 80% reported improvement in parent participation, and 81% reported improved student discipline. Teaching to the MI improved assignment completion, class participation and engagement of learners (Cluck & Hess, 2003).

Given the numerous benefits in using MI, we have used MI in the planning and implementation of our Mathematics lessons on “Fractions” and “Decimals” in 2008. The primary purpose of the research was to find out if the use of MI in the teaching of Mathematics will result in pupils’ increase in motivation and engagement and will have a positive impact on their attitude and achievement in the subject.   The following are our research questions:

1. Is there an increase in the level of engagement among primary four pupils who are taught Mathematics using the MI strategies?
2. Do primary four pupils who are taught Mathematics using MI achieve a higher review test scores than pupils who are not taught using MI?
3. Does a longer exposure to MI strategies have a positive impact on primary four pupils’ engagement, motivation, attitude and achievement in their learning of Mathematics?

  

Method   

The study involved four Primary Four classes. Table 1 shows the distribution of the pupils.

Ability Group	Low-Ability Group		Average-Ability Group
Class	Project	Comparison	Project	Comparison
No. of pupils	30	32	38	40
No. of girls	16	18	17	18
No. of boys	14	14	21	22

Table 1: Distribution of pupils by class

Table 2 shows the mean score of their 2007 Mathematics overall marks. The project groups and comparison groups are comparable in Mathematics achievement.

Ability Group	Low-Ability Group		Average-Ability Group
Class	Project (N=30)	Comparison (N=32)	Project (N=38)	Comparison (N=40)
Mean (SD)	33.3 (12.1)	30.8 (12.9)	63.5 (9.7)	64.6 (10.7)
Difference	2.5		1.1
Effect Size	0.19		0.10

Table 2: Mean score of 2007 Mathematics overall marks

Measures

MIDAS Questionnaire

To measure the MI profile of all the pupils and teachers involved, the school engaged Multiple Intelligences Research and Consulting, Inc. to administer the MI psychometric instrument “Multiple Intelligences Developmental Assessment Scales” (MIDAS) which had well-established reliability scores.

PETALS^TM Questionnaire

To measure pupils’ engagement, motivation and attitude towards the learning of Mathematics, pupils took part in a survey using the PETALS^TM Engagement Indicator Questionnaire. The questionnaire had six components, namely Pedagogy, Experience of Learning, Tone of Environment, Assessment for Learning, Learning Content and Engagement. 

More Primary school and preschool maths provider on creative maths and Heuristics Maths, click here.

  

Why is Maths Coaching Mandatory in Kindergarten?.

As one of the most challenging subjects ever, maths certainly has many high end benefits to offer to people in both the short as well as the long run. While studying it, a good amount of attention must be given for the purpose of actually understanding it for good. Students from all over the world can be seen to be studying it due to the fact that it provides them with endless career opportunities in the present times. Maths coaching is mandatory due to the fact that it enables people to read many different sections and parts of maths which really could come in handy in the near future.

Basic Mathematics

People should be aware of the fact that through the coaching for this subject, they are likely to know and understand all the basics of it. Fundamentals maths is something that all individuals should give a lot of attention to since it is through it that they are likely to do well in the subject in the near future. Another important part of acquiring sufficient amount of coaching for this subject is that it starts from the beginning and goes on to cover the basics and fundamentals that are the core of the subject and must be understood by all people who wish to eventually score well in the subject.

Mathematical Concepts

On the other hand, through maths coaching, individuals tend to understand all there is about the mathematical concepts which are the base of the subject and without which, scoring well and understanding the u=subject completely is really not possible. According to many surveys, coaching in the subject is required by a great number of people who are likely to begin grasping the subject afterwards. Hence, it makes coaching mandatory as through it, the knowledge of mathematical concepts is likely to increase by a long shot. When mathematical concepts have been fully cleared, individuals are likely to become experts at the subject in a short period of time.

Advanced Mathematics

Furthermore, people can always go on to attain coaching for the subject as it enables them to acquire more and more knowledge of the subject. After covering basics, the advanced study arrives, which tends to show people what the subject is really about and all that it actually contains. Maths coaching is highly necessary for anyone who wishes to acquire advanced knowledge of the subject in order to pass different tests or special exams in the long run. With such coaching, the knowledge of both basics as well as advanced mathematics can be achieved without having to face many obstacles in the matter.

Mathematical Theories

On another note, coaching also helps individuals in getting a good idea about a wide range of many mathematical theories which are important to be known in order to enhance the overall knowledge of the subject in the long run. These theories prove to be a base for the subject and without them; advanced knowledge is rather difficult and often impossible to be acquired in the future.

Conclusion

Coaching for mathematics has short as well as long-term advantages and due to that, it must be given a lot of importance at all times. While many people feel like they can take care of the subject on their own, coaching tends to provide them with the kick-start they need in order to do well in the subject later on. The best part is that more and more qualified teachers and individuals can be seen to be providing coaching for the subject and that too, at reasonable prices that most average students can easily pay without having to struggle too much in the overall process. 

More  Kindergarten & Primary School Maths enrichment and tuition classes, check out www.eimaths.com

Preschool Maths – How Essential is it for Children?.

Mathematics has been made mandatory in every other preschool there is, these days, due to the fact that children really do need to have a good knowledge of it for the purpose of being successful in the long run. Studies have shown that children who learn preschool maths are most likely to have sharper thinking skills and better decision making ability than others who do not. Therefore, parents should see to it that their child is getting the knowledge of maths right after he/she has been admitted to preschool.

Thinking Skills

As said before, preschool maths gives children the ability to have sharp thinking skills. Now a lot of teachers may feel like they can teach other subjects to children and acquire the same benefit, but in reality maths is the only subject that tends to broaden thinking, whether of a child or an adult. Therefore, it is highly important for children to study maths at preschool level as much as they can so that they can succeed in their later life as well. With time, their thinking skills tend to develop more, making them score well in tests and examinations every now and then. For broadening thinking skills, there is no better subject than maths.

Introduction

On the other hand, preschool maths tends to give children an introduction about mathematics. It is in preschool where children learn everything there is about the subject. This generally includes the basic knowledge, which tends to become advanced in the long run but it is the beginning of their journey for learning maths. Hence, teachers are always recommended to find out fun ways to teach maths to children so that they can become interested in the subject right from the very beginning. Once children develop an adequate amount of interest in the subject, they can definitely make great progress in the future.

Time

As far as preschool maths is concerned, one very important thing about it is the fact that it allows children to know everything there is about time. In general, children are most likely to not give a lot of importance to time but managing it is highly essential. With the adequate knowledge of maths, they can learn to manage time without having to face any hindrances in the matter. Eventually, preschool students have exams as well as tests where they are required to complete everything on time. Learning maths is what shows them the correct way to do so.

Decision Making Skills

Another very important benefit of learning preschool maths is the fact that through it, children can have the ability to make better decisions. Decision making skills are important for every other person out there and only with the help of this subject can they be acquired in a short period of time. This is precisely why teachers have been suggested to spend a good amount of time in teaching maths to children and learning can be a gradual process which may take some time at times but it is going to be completely worth it in the near future.

Learning Preschool Maths – Why?

All in all, children need to learn maths right from the beginning in order to understand the subject well in the long run. Those who have high end mathematical skills can easily go and choose top notch careers without having to struggle too much. Teachers should try and make the subject interesting at preschool level since at this stage, developing the interest of children is the most important task in order for them to stick with the subject later on. Since the subject has become a necessity for everyone these days, the learning of mathematics has been highly recommended.

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Why Learn Creative Maths in Preschool?.

Children these days many subjects in school and one of the most important ones include mathematics. It is due to the fact that the subject has been linked within increasing thinking skills, reasoning skills, enhancing logic as well as creative thinking. Creative maths tends to help children see the world in a much different light right from the beginning. Therefore, parents should always focus on making their children learn the subject. On the other hand, teachers must see to it that every child has developed interest in the subject since only that way can they score well in the long run.

Reasoning Skills

As stated before, one of the best ways for increasing the reasoning skills of children is by introducing them to creative maths. This is the only way for them to see reason and it also gives them the ability to be able to apply it in different places where it is needed in general. Mathematics is a subject that straight forwarded teaches people about the many places they have to use reasoning in order to get the answers to the many questions they want. Children tend to begin using their reasoning skills right after they are taught maths and the process tends to continue for a long period of time.

Logic

Similarly, children who learn creative maths are also able to have increased logic in comparison to those who do not. This is due to the fact that the intricate subject prompts children to think more and gives them the ability to use logic where needed. Only through maths can children use logic and explain many other aspects to others who do not understand a certain topic for discussion for that matter. Parents should encourage their children to learn the subject right from the beginning as it is considered to be the only way through which children can acquire adequate logic, which really will be quite beneficial for them in the long run.

Creativity

Creative maths enables children to think out of the box in general. While there are many other subjects that are being taught in schools for the purpose of helping children acquire increase creativity skills, maths stands undisputed as the best one out there. This is due to the fact that this kind of maths tends to open all kinds of possibilities in front of children who are quick to pick on any new thing that they are taught by their teachers. As far as gaining creativity is concerned, children should always be encouraged to learn maths in order to acquire it.

Think Better

For increasing thinking skills in general, teachers have been highly recommended to teach creative maths to children. Since the early years of children are important as their brain is developing in the process, subjects such as mathematics should definitely be taught as much as possible in order to increase or develop adequate thinking skills within children. This is something that all parents and teachers should focus at since with increased studying of maths, students can go on to become immensely successful in the near future.

Creative Maths – How is it so Important?

Mathematics is one of the most widely taught and appreciated subjects these days. Due to its value and the kind of both short as well as long-term benefits it has to offer, more and more people can be seen to be learning it and teaching it to others as well. The subject has been included with all the others in the curriculum of schools from all over the world. In the present times, every other field contains maths so it is very essential for children to gain good understating of it in order to succeed later on.

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Pros of Teaching Kindergarten Maths.

Everyone is aware of how kindergarten maths has become exceptionally important over the past couple of years. Children tend to learn a lot from it, which is why it has been made a permanent part of every kindergarten’s curriculum out there. Where children learn a lot from it and also acquire a wide range of different benefits, teachers also attain many advantages in the process. Before teaching maths to kindergarten students, teachers need to consider many things that can be beneficial for them in the near future. Jobs for teaching maths to kindergarten students can be easily found these days; therefore, those who are interested in doing so must not waste any more time.

Easy to Teach

One of the biggest benefits to teachers for teaching kindergarten maths is the fact that it is quite easy. This means that they do not have to invest in so many efforts as this is practically basic maths that really is not difficult for a teacher who has been teaching it since a long period of time. Moreover, those who have previously taught mathematics to advance level children will find teaching kindergarten children even more easy in comparison. Therefore, it definitely makes this job worth it for all teachers.

Fun

On the other hand, kindergarten maths is rather fun to teach. Mathematics is a subject that requires a lot of day to day activities as well as tasks. This makes it rather fun due to the fact that children can acquire creative thinking through it. Such activities are not a hassle and teachers can always go on and introduce fun ideas to children in order for them to acquire enhanced thinking skills and creativity as well. Hence, the job of teaching maths to kindergarten children has been labeled as fun, which is why teachers should definitely go for it.

Interesting

Kindergarten maths is interesting for both children as well as teachers. The basics of this subject enable everyone to learn all there is about maths in the first place. Everything such as problem solving and creative maths in involved in this phase of learning maths, which is what makes it exceptionally interesting for children as well as teachers for that matter. One important thing for teachers to know is that teaching this subject daily is not as boring as one may expect in the first place. Teachers can always introduce new kinds of creative activities in order to make maths in kindergarten more fun for children.

Good Salaries

Teachers should go ahead and kindergarten maths to children due to the fact that the jobs tends to pay well quite often. Mathematics is considered to be one of the most thorough and intricate subjects. Therefore, whether it is being taught on a basic level or at an advanced level, those who teach it are always paid in huge amounts in comparison with the teachers of other subjects in general. This is also due to the fact that maths has more technicalities than other subjects. This is why teaching maths to kindergarten children is a great idea.

Conclusion

With all the different kinds of benefits that teachers can acquire through teaching maths to kindergarten children, they should not waste any time to do so. Not only will it allow them to spend quality time with children, who are going to learn a lot from the subject, but they can also get good salary packages in the process and that surely makes the task worth it. Finding such jobs is not as difficult as one may expect in the first place since countless kindergartens exist in the present times and all of those do need permanent teachers for teaching maths.

More Kindergarten coaching and Primary School Maths Tuition classes, check out www.eimaths.com