An observation about students working in groups
http://media.nwic.edu/system/files/private/math-student-videos/video/matteomath.f4vThe specific times we are interested are from 0 – 1:15 (John’s prompt for the activity) and then again from 20:10 – 38:50 – so skip ahead!
John has asked us to focus on these questions:
Do the students seem focused on the problems to be solved?
Does it seem like they are communicating about the problems with regard to areas of agreement and disagreement? Is their conversation “mathematical”? is their conversation helping them learn?
Am I (John) refraining from butting into their conversations? Is the teacher’s interaction helping or hindering the mathematics?
Jay Giles 7:54 am on May 19, 2011 Permalink
John – your students (those we could see) were definitely focused and talking the language of mathematics. I personally don’t think that you “butted in” too much at all. If students aren’t use to working in groups, they’re going to need some “prompts” to help them focus. Nicely done!!
Daniel 9:52 am on May 19, 2011 Permalink
Students seem focused on problem. Problem seems to be culturally relevant; yet, students still struggle with the concept of where the variable is…I see this a lot with many students….there is good mathematical conversation between student both agreeing and disagreeing with eachother and looking for rationalization from John…Definatite learning for with any struggle comes learned observation…I think this lesson was a good interaction among the students and acknowledges their need to work together as a team to find solutions to real problems…Good Job John!