Green, John (1997) Developmental algorithms have meaning. Australian Mathematics Teacher, 53 (4). 40 - 44. ISSN 0045-0685
Abstract
In many areas of mathematics present day scientific and graphing calculators are removing the need to utilise mathematical algorithms for computational purposes. This must lead us to question the educational benefit in having children blindly memorise and apply certain algorithms. On the other hand I would argue that further exploration of these same algorithms can often give a child the opportunity to investigate mathematical situations that would otherwise be missed. This can help to add to the child's total development and growth in the subject and is consistent also with the widely accepted view that learning is best thought of as an active and productive process on the part of the learner. When teaching algorithms it makes good sense then to include activities which children regard as purposeful and interesting. This will give children the opportunity to experience the processes through which mathematics develops and help them to develop their capacity to use mathematics in solving problems individually and collaboratively. Developmental algorithms, when appropriate and used sensibly can play a part in the realisation of such a goal.
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| Item Type: | Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Permanent restricted access to published version in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. |
| Faculty / Department / School: | Historic - Faculty of Education |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Nov 2007 11:47 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Jun 2017 00:42 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | mathematics; problem solving in children; problems exercises; algorithms |
| Fields of Research : | 01 Mathematical Sciences > 0103 Numerical and Computational Mathematics > 010301 Numerical Analysis 13 Education > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130208 Mathematics and Numeracy Curriculum and Pedagogy 13 Education > 1301 Education Systems > 130105 Primary Education (excl. Maori) |
| Socio-Economic Objective: | E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970113 Expanding Knowledge in Education |
| URI: | http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/13614 |
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