Stanford professor Jo Boaler talks about the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ways that math is taught.
Flexible mathematical thinking and problem solving are good skills that many dyslexic students can do well at, but all too often, mathematics is taught with an over-emphasis on rote memorization, speed drills, and performance of repetitive procedures, which can be a weakness for students.
Boaler and her students made the following motivational video to encourage students to think about math learning with a positive ‘growth’ mindset.
Here is one example of how flexible algebraic thinking can be introduced using visual puzzles:
MORE VISUAL MATH ACTIVITIES
Jo’s How to Learn Math online course is free HERE. A Spanish version is also available.
A new course from Jo / Stanford is $99 and starting in June: Mathematical Mindsets
A pre-recorded course How to Learn Math for Teachers is also available for $50-125.
Learn more HERE.
I *loved* her book Mathematical Mindsets. My son struggles with math and is dyslexic, but doesn’t have an eval yet. I found it a really encouraging and eye-opening read even as I excelled in advanced math through high school. I hope more people hear about her book so they can encourage others or get the encouragement they need that math is much more playful than it’s currently being advertised as!