Unlike the Jasper Series, traditional mathematics instruction sucks. It emphasizes computational math rather than conceptual math. It teaches isolated skills through mindless repetition. It is decontextualized, has no connection to students' lives and leads to inert knowledge. It reinforces the belief that ability counts most (not effort) - you are either good at math or you aren't. Instruction that emphasizes computation reduces math to exercises in symbol manipulation, compartmentalized numeric thinking, application of rote skills, and divorces mathematics from more flexible problem solving approaches.
Unfortunately, education is oriented toward preparing students for standardized tests. There is little or no hope for authentic math education as long as SAT scores are seen as the measure of mathematical understanding. There is a strong bias in secondary education toward the college bound segment of the student population. Critics of mathematics reform would probably call the Jasper Series an attempt to water down the curriculum. Parents would complain that such instruction would ruin their child's chances of getting into a top ranked college. In the meantime, the majority of the non-college bound students are cheated out of a meaningful education.
Anchoring, situating, or embedding mathematics instruction in real life, complex, and meaningful problems like the Jasper Series supports quantitative literacy. Students need to learn how to interpret data and apply math in everyday life. Math is a tool or language for thinking, describing, defining, comparing, demonstrating, and solving problems. Math helps people make sense of the world around them. Mathematics instruction that is more practically oriented will better prepare students for life.
I felt the anchored instruction article was very confusing, and it left me with a lot of questions. Maybe somebody can help. My main problem is that I still don't fully understand the concept of anchored instruction. Is there a clear-cut definition? I also didn't understand what was meant by levels of authenticity [factual and performance]. My other questions had to do with the two projects discussed in the article. Both projects sounded like great ideas for a classroom, although the Sherlock project was a little more confusing than the Jasper series. I didn't fully understand the purpose of the Sherlock project the way I did the Jasper project.
While reading this article I kept thinking about thematic teaching. I believe that thematic teaching allows children to apply the lessons they learn to real life situations. I think that with these videodiscs and with thematic teaching our students will be able to apply what they learned easily. I also think that the children will have fun learning this way.
I thought the point that thematic teaching could be tied in with these projects on anchored instruction was very interesting. I hadn't thought about it until I read your response. I agree that applying lessons to real life situations is a great way for students to learn. By combining these two ideas, I feel students will learn a lot without actually realizing they're learning.
Not to say that traditional instruction isn't needed, but situational learning requires more common sense and reasoning, which should be developed in every child. Overall this article was good, and it will be interesting to see if these ideas catch on everywhere. Anchored instruction is a good alternative for everyone and could possibly improve education in the coming century.
Confusing Language—Is it worth it?
man, I felt like I was at the ICE conference all over again! most of this article read like stereo instructions. I'm sure that the content is very well suited for research and the like, but I would have liked to see less of the "big words" and more of the practical types to make things a bit more interesting. I barely made it through 2 1/2 pages, before I realized I didn't remember anything I read...I'm sure the content was useful, but it just seemed a little too much.
you were definitely right on with your description of this article. I think everyone can relate, at one time or another, to the "I realized I didn't remember anything I read" problem. I certainly did a lot of re-reading, which I normally just give up on, but this time I think it was worth it. I did manage get a lot out of the article, but after seeing the jasper example in class yesterday, I was rather disappointed...
I found this article interesting, but I'm not sure if we should be promoting television itself. It is already so predominant in the student's lives already. I guess, though, that we can't very well fight with something that is so predominant in our culture, so at least we are trying to use television in a way that is positive and educational. I think that the Jasper series will be helpful. For the Young Sherlock Project, it would almost be possible, and maybe more beneficial, if the kids read the books first...They could then picture, for example, the setting for themselves and brainstorm with the class...Then, they could watch the movie to compare their ideas with those of the filmmakers. I think the kids then will have a much better chance of learning to use their imagination and own brain power instead of relying on the immediate gratification television gives them.
I think that you bring up a very good point about promoting television in the classroom. I had not thought about this approach that way, but now that I have read your response I totally agree. I think it is also important to have the children read some of the books before they see the videodisc. However, after watching the videodisc on Monday I think that they will be very useful in our classrooms, but we need to remember as teachers to also encourage reading. It will be hard, but somehow we will have to have a good balanced classroom with a mixture of media and books.
The kids these days have grown up with technology, and to deny that fact in the classroom, would be ignoring some of their best skills.
Anchored instruction would be a perfect tool for students to practice outside of the classroom. I still believe there should be student/teacher interaction in the classroom and anchored instruction seems to run the teacher out of the classroom.
I feel teacher instruction is still greatly needed to teach students how to work problems such as the ones they will be faced with in adventures like the Jasper series.
Teachers also need to teach problem solving skills before letting their students work on projects like these.
I strongly agree with this article in that it discusses using technology and visual aids to teach students new concepts within math and reading. I think that this is an exciting idea for both the students and the teachers alike in that it is visually stimulating and different from traditional teaching. It requires students to use knowledge from a variety of areas, not just one "area." With these types of activities they are required to use knowledge found outside their textbooks, critical thinking, problem solving, while also applying their newfound learning. In addition, they are allowed to add their own special creativity. I feel that this is a major step forward in teaching our students. By using these types of technology aids along with textbooks we are opening ourselves to a new and exciting learning journey.