Monday, July 29, 2013

Public Space and EDUC115N: How to Learn Math

I just finished sessions 3 and 4 of Jo Boaler's course, EDUC115N: How to Learn Math and wanted to share some of my main take aways.

The course eloquently phrases the necessary components of great teaching. There is a wonderful moment in a session where you watch Cathy Humphreys' work around establishing a growth mindset in her class. Boaler outlines Cathy's basic tenants of this class culture:


This class culture of "sense making" is built upon chances to represent work, collaborate with others, value successes and mistakes and what she calls "public space." This is a phrase that I am going to start using. "Public space" is quite literal and represents the time in class where students can share and discuss their ideas with the "public." I think giving this teaching move a name and sharing that name with the students can be very valuable. I find that naming and identifying routines helps students make meaning of the class process. 



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