PhILOSOPHY OF MATHEMATICS
To say there are two types of people in the world- those who love math, and those who hate it, would be a vague statement sprinkled with uncertainty and indefiniteness. Much like the subject itself, there exists
a multitude of endless possibilities (or in this case, people), who are shaped and sculpted to either enjoy the subject of math, or strongly dislike it. So what factors contribute to the perceptions surrounding the subject? A
tremendous, and almost undeniable possibility is that people are influenced by personal experiences pertaining to math, which can occur both inside and outside the classroom. As a future educator, is it a responsibility, and in some ways a priority, to discover which factors cause students to enjoy or dislike math. Furthermore, because there are numerous students with educational needs that range from one end of the spectrum to another, it is also an educators job to target each students needs within the classroom. For students math is used knowingly and unknowingly in everyday life, so implanting the reality that “math can be applied to anything,” is something the teacher must be able to do in order to reach the student's educational needs.
With that being said, it is an educators job to engage students while pertaining to math both inside and outside the classroom setting. This can, and should, be done in an infinite amount of ways, because each student learns differently. Math should be taught in a way that not only motivates and activates students, but also allows students to exercise positive energy and become intrigued by the subject. Teachers can accomplish this by practicing various types of teaching styles. Creating assorted lessons stemming from cooperative learning, to
differentiated instruction, to direct instruction, and even inquiry based learning, can allow for a pliant classroom that attempts to reach the needs of all students. Additionally, exploring different types of teaching styles can
allow students to learn from you, and from each other, to discover mathematical ideas and concepts which they can connect to real world applications. Implementing versatile classroom instruction can allow students to discover that math is a relatable subject. Mathematical concepts in algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, graph theory, etc. can all be applied to elements of students lives such as sports, shopping, cooking, driving, or traveling. By guiding students, and engaging them in the classroom, and educator is allowing the appreciation for math to grow. Students can then begin to reach their maximum potential and absorb the material without necessarily understanding how much information they are truly mastering, because they are relating it to their
lives.
The beauty with mathematics is that unlike other subjects, the possibilities are endless; teachers can reveal limitless applications to their students with a multitude of instruction and activities. Moreover, complex and difficult concepts in math can be broken down and simplified to elementary notions which students can comprehend. Not only do students learn from their teachers, but also a moldable atmosphere within a classroom can allow teachers to learn from their students. With a keen attention to detail, and a dedication to students, teachers can strive for success for themselves, and for their students as well. Teaching allows for educators to continue to grow in the field of mathematics while creating mathematically able and excellent students.