tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28079520.post115927041224625493..comments2023-06-30T22:02:09.294+10:00Comments on Rambling Teacher's Blog: Helping girls learn MathematicsRambling Teacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03004508814421590201noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28079520.post-29505116650186913632008-01-24T20:42:00.000+11:002008-01-24T20:42:00.000+11:00Welcome to the blog, GS. I am glad you're enjoying...Welcome to the blog, GS. I am glad you're enjoying the posts. I will be returning the visit!Rambling Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03004508814421590201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28079520.post-23054143871768366112008-01-24T12:12:00.000+11:002008-01-24T12:12:00.000+11:00I teach maths at a girls' school. It's not select...I teach maths at a girls' school. It's not selective but a lot of the students are academically motivated. I'm pleased to report no observation of gender-stereotypical struggle with maths. I did prac at a boys' school with a similar culture and I reckon that the two schools would have a very similar profile in maths achievement.<BR/><BR/>I haven't taught co-ed so can only speculate, but I think it helps having only girls in the classroom. I can't explain why, but I think it helps.<BR/><BR/>Just found your blog today, and am enjoying going through all the posts.GShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01653295877269914726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28079520.post-81327188636063944822006-10-01T12:42:00.000+10:002006-10-01T12:42:00.000+10:00Elias,
Congrats on your move to Beta.Elias,<br /><br />Congrats on your move to Beta.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16517742269292732960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28079520.post-91014019628526557962006-09-29T17:44:00.000+10:002006-09-29T17:44:00.000+10:00Thanks a lot for your comments and perspective, Tr...Thanks a lot for your comments and perspective, Tracy. They are most appreciated.Rambling Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03004508814421590201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28079520.post-32849287470476748762006-09-29T12:44:00.000+10:002006-09-29T12:44:00.000+10:00The episode seems to ridicule the view that maths ...<i>The episode seems to ridicule the view that maths is defined in a way that has suited males over the ages. Maths is what it is, and everyone needs to learn it in the same way</i><br /><br />Even if maths has developed in a way that is heavily influenced by the history of most men being mathematics, that doesn't mean that it should therefore be taught to girls in a different way.<br /><br />An important part of maths at the more advanced levels is being able to communicate what you are doing to someone else. Consequently there are a set of standards, almost a language of mathematics. Any girl taught maths without taught this language would have massive difficulty accessing the history of mathematical knowledge or communicating her ideas to others (maths writing before the development of algebra and our conventions are very confusing).<br /><br /><i> One which is unlike that of men - something to be worked out and attacked. Instead, maths becomes something that engages the senses. </i><br /><br />One of the things I enjoy about maths is that it has developed a new aesthetic sense in me. An elegant proof is as appealing as a great painting. <br /><br />This sense is still perfectly compatible with actually solving problems (which I guess is what you mean by "worked out and attacked"). <br /><br />Incidentally I'm female and have a degree in electrical engineering (and I went to a single-sex girls school, where I don't recall doing any presentations or essay-writing in maths).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28079520.post-86246807144627570962006-09-29T12:32:00.000+10:002006-09-29T12:32:00.000+10:00Teachers should vary their instruction and assessm...<i>Teachers should vary their instruction and assessment methods: The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers put out a "national statement on girls and mathematics" in 1990. In it, they suggest that teachers value certain modes of learning which appeal more to girls. Teachers should "make more extensive use of discussion methods, small group collaborative work and open-ended investigations". Assessment should "include projects, presentations, essays" etc...</i><br /><br />Is there any evidence this leads to better maths results? <br /><br />Kids' eyes might light up, but that's not necessarily the same as them learning more maths. <br /><br />The small group collaborative work particularly makes me wonder, as in my experience group work can easily mean only one or two students actually do the difficult stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com