Investigations is a complete K-5 mathematics curriculum, developed at TERC in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is designed to help all children understand fundamental ideas of number and operations, geometry, data, measurement and early algebra. The Investigations curriculum represents the culmination of over 20 years of research and development aimed at improving the teaching and learning of elementary mathematics.
What were the results of its use in Alpine?
Oak Norton is a parent of a student in Alpine School district. Norton's concerns originated from the fact that Alpine School District uses a new style of math called "investigative math,"
He said the investigative math is a sentence for failure. The Alpine schools began using Investigations math, a "standards-based" program, in 2000. Since then, parents have been protesting its nontraditional approach to math instruction — which includes group work but a lack of textbooks. Alpine School district using the Investigations Math process only had 76% pass of their students pass the same test. Nebo was ahead of Alpine by 7%
What were the arguments for and against?
The "Investigations" math curriculum was adopted in 2000 and the district has heard complaints ever since. Some parents claimed the program gives too little emphasis to memorizing multiplication tables and learning long division. "There were strong advocates for and against the program," assistant superintendent Gary Seastrand said. "Those who were against it felt the system had made a central decision. There were parents and teachers who did not buy into it or like it."
Pro: Investigations Math removes teaching the times tables to children and all memorization of math facts.
Cons: "Children tend not to learn what they are not taught." Dr. Ralph Raimi
What is your opinion?
I think that investigation math can be good to a certain extent. However, that needs to not be the main factor of how the students learns. It helps students if they are well rounded in many different teaching technique. Most students don't all learn the same way so they need variation. It is easy to see that for the Alpine school district it was not the best descision they made when comparing their test scores with the Nebo School district. I think it is good that they are realizing that they need to change some things finally after so long. My parents were very upset with their students learning. I would be very upset if I was a parent as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment