By: Judith VT Wilson

Judith VT Wilson — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:27:26 +0000

I follow the neuroscience about how the brain learns best and believe the less technology the better. Putting pen to paper imprints the brain, so that new neural networks are made, making memory stronger. The brain learns by trial and error, so that’s why we learn from mistakes. Many math classrooms still haven’t normalized mistakes. Persistence is often needed when solving problems and perseverance is needed when taking standardized tests. Both are fostered when students have an understanding of how their brains learn and remember. Studying over time helps the brain to remember, because the brain prunes away trivia nightly. Being anxious about their devices doesn’t help students. Their amygdala is worrying, tuning out their hippocampus where their memory is.
Let’s educate all teachers and students about benefits of educational neuroscience for teaching and learning.

By: DuWayne Krause

DuWayne Krause — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 11:27:45 +0000

I have taught math at multiple schools. At each stop, I have dramatically improved student math skill. My experience has been that “modern” approaches to teaching math don’t work. I have repeatedly seen teachers wanting to be students’ friend and this approach being a total disaster. In many ways my approach is very “old school.” It is based on being demanding and making students work hard, without using any technology. I find that using no technology better engages students brains to think about the work, instead of relying on a machine to think for them. I am also a strong proponent of students working together to solve problems, rather than relying on the teacher to solve their problems for them

Comments on: PROOF POINTS: There is a worldwide problem in math and it’s not just about the pandemic

By: Judith VT Wilson

By: DuWayne Krause