Week 12 Reflection

       12 weeks later and we have completed our first semester of teachers college. I cannot believe that we're already a quarter of the way finished our time here at Brock U. Math class with Patricia has been quite the journey, and going back through the course material while curating for my Digital Portfolio I realized just how much we have learned this semester. My whole thought process about math has changed since the beginning of the course. In particular, my views about the ability of students to grasp math has been changed forever. As a student I always thought that there were mathematical minds and minds that were better at language and arts. After this course with Patricia I now know that every student is capable of being successful in Math class and as teachers we have to create a learning environment that supports a growth mindset, and is encouraging, open and supportive to student learning. Pat has also gone through a number of different mathematical concepts with us that have changed the way that I perceive mathematics. For example, she has shown us new ways to divide fractions and to perform subtraction, just to name a few. These new techniques that she has shown us are indicative of the concept that there are no right and wrong ways to understand how to do math. Instead, we should support students and anyway that they understand to come to an answer. Working in groups and using collaborative learning in class was a great demonstration of these different ways of seeing math. In groups, although half of the group may solve the problem one way, the other half may choose another solution. Our EQAO problem assignment was also a good example of this. This little classroom techniques, such as group work and working with physical manipulatives have changed the way I think about teaching math. Instead of just going up in the front of and teaching students how to plug numbers into an equation, its all about having students think deeply about mathematical concepts in order to understand them. It is more important for a student to understand WHY we are doing something, rather than HOW. A great technique to have the students think deeply and make connections with a mathematical concept and real life situations is through guided inquiry. Pat has also taught us the importance of having a deep understanding of what we are teaching students. Like I said earlier, it is more important to be able to teach students why we are doing something rather than how. For example, if you don't know the reason behind why we flip a fraction and multiply when dividing, then maybe you should learn a new technique, or learn the reason behind the technique to explain to students the reasoning. Patricia has also introduced us to a number of online resources that we can use to further and deepen our professional knowledge such as Edugains. These resources will not only help in classroom techniques, but also lesson planning etc. Moving forward in my mathematic and teaching career I hope to exemplify the standards that Patricia has taught us to uphold and if I am able to be half as effective as Patricia in my own class then I know that I am on my way to becoming a great teacher.

Digital Math Portfolio