1 Dr. Eric Milou Rowan University Department of Mathematics x3876 How Do I Balance Computational and Conceptual Understanding?

2 Overview National News in Mathematics Education NJ mathematics assessments Conceptual vs. Procedural Debate Number Sense & Computation Proficiency

3 NCTM Focal Points (9/12/06) Not Back to Basics at All Wall Street Journal article did not represent the substance or intent of the focal points. The focal points are not about the basics; they are about important foundational topics. NCTM has always supported learning the basics. Students should learn and be able to recall basic facts and become computationally fluent, but such knowledge and skills should be acquired with understanding.

4 Education Week 11/1/06 We cannot afford to waste time on polarization. What is important is that we pragmatically address critical target areas to improve mathematics education. We cannot be distracted from our primary mission—to match tactical initiatives in other, newly technological societies that are snatching our competitive advantage in innovation—while we bicker over modest differences in approach. (Jere Confrey)

State Testing Results

NJASK 5, 6, 7 30 MC and 3 Open Ended: 39 points Calculator allowed on ALL questions NJASK5 JPM was 18/39 (46%) NJASK 6 JPM was 17/39 (44%) NJASK 7 JPM was 13/39 (33%) 10 pts per cluster (one cluster with 9 pts) Sample Items at:

NJ GEPA Data All items allow a calculator 30 Multiple choice items - 1 pt each 6 Open-ended - 3 pts each 25 out of 48 points is a passing score

8 Assessments Points by Cluster ClusterNJASK 3 NJASK 4 NJASK 5 NJASK 6 Number Geometry8109 Algebra810 D/P/D810 Total “200”

9 Assessments Points by Cluster ClusterNJASK7GEPAHSPA Number10127 Geometry912 Algebra D/P/D Total3948 “200”

Score

11 Implications & Inferences NJ Assessments are rigorous and conceptual NJ Math Standards are well aligned with NJ assessments Most districts have a well aligned curriculum –Then, what’s wrong?

12 Compute the following: 4 x 9 x ÷ 1/2

13 What’s “Typical?” in US

14 Third International Math & Science Study (TIMSS) Procedures vs. Concepts

15 Stated vs Developed

16 Lesson Study Demonstrates a procedure Assigns similar problems to students as exercises Homework assignment Presents a problem without first demonstrating how to solve it Individual or group problem solving Compare and discuss multiple solution methods Summary, exercises and homework assignment

17 We need a BALANCE Traditional text with conceptual supplement Conceptual text (EM, CMP, Core- Plus) with computational supplement

18 Conceptual Understanding 24 ÷ 4 = 6 24 ÷ 3 = 8 24 ÷ 2 =12 24 ÷ 1 = ÷ 1/2 = ??

19 Fractions - Conceptually More than 1 or Less than 1 Explain your reasoning The F word

20 Which is larger? 2/3 + 3/4 + 4/5 + 5/6 OR x 45 OR 4.5 x 125 1/3 + 2/4 + 2/4 + 5/11 OR 2

21 Where’s the Point? 2.43 x 5.1 = x = x 1.08 = x 64 = x = x = x = x =

22 Computational Balance 1000 ÷ 1.49 –Torture Big Macs Sell for $1.49, how many Big Macs can I buy for $10.00? –1 is $1.50 –2 are $3 –4 are $6 –6 are $9 Mental Mathematics is a vital skill

23 Computation is Important Engaging & Active Less passive worksheets Creative! More thinking & reasoning

24 Name That Number - Computational Practice Target #:

25 Active Computation Fifty (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and addition) Buzz (3) Product Game Wipe Out Software: Math Arena

26 Patterns

27 Conceptual & Contextual 8+ 7 = ? How do we teach this? xxx x xx x x x x x x x x x x x

= / / > --> 10 --> --> --> --> --> --> --> 17

= ? = = = 1000

30 Multiplication 13 x 17 = ? 1 3 x

31 Conceptual approach leads to ? x 7 x3x3 x2x2 3x 7x 21 Algebra: (x + 3) (x + 7) =

32 Contextual Problem Solving Not more traditional word problems Placing mathematical lessons into settings Giving students a reason to learn the skill Motivating students

33 Example You must select one spinner. Both spinners above will be spun once. The spinner with the higher number showing wins $1,000,000 for that person. Which spinner will you select?

34 Spinner Example BLUEORANGE

35 Crossing the River 8 adults and 2 children need to cross a river and they have one small boat only available. The boat can hold ONLY: –One adult –One or two children How many one-way trips does it take for all 8 adults and 2 children to cross?

36 Fact #1 A

37 Fact #2 B

38 Fact #3 C

39 Fact #4 D

40 Fact #5 E

41 Fact #6 F

42 Fact #7 G

43 Fact #8 H

44 Fact #9 I

45 What is this?

46 What is this? F A C E

47 What If? AB C DE F GH I

48 Try Again

49 Try Again D E C A D E

50 What’s the Point? Isolated Facts –Less likely to retain information Connected Facts, Patterns, Fact in Context –More likely to retain information

51 Characteristics of a good mathematics program CONCEPTUAL CONTEXTUAL CONSTUCTIVISM COMPUTATION TEST-PREP

52 Thank You Dr. Eric Milou Rowan University