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Educ.

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Designs for Learning: Mathematics

SPRING, 1983

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INSTRUCTOR: Professor John Trivett

Office hours: Wed.

3:30

or 8:20 p.m.

(or by arrangement)

Wednesdays 4:30 - 8:20

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LOCATION: MPX 8620 (2nd & other mtgs.

January 12th

'-

April 6th

at a school below the snow-

line - details at 1st mtg.

TEXTS: ?

(Required) Trivett, J.V.

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.. . And So On: New Designs for ?

Teaching Math.

(Recommended) Dawson, A.J. Children Teaching Themselves

Mathematics. ?

(available in the

course, or from Dr. Dawson)

The course is for elementary and secondary teachers of mathematics,

part or full-time, interested in improving their skills and under-

standings, with consequent student improved learning. The instructor

and the instruction is biassed - against mechanical, narrowly

conceived theories and practices of teaching, and against the frequent

and traditional pressures of time, rote drill and the quest for

right answers; and toward the realities that, for example, every

learner learns thoroughly only when she/he accepts the responsibility

for her/his own learning; that everyone can learn mathematics

provided they learned their first language between the ages of

6 months and 2 years. Actions, images, thought, process, imagination

and patterning are known to be more important educational achievements

than answers, set algorithms and formulas.

Such bias of the instructor does not exclude those biassed differently.

On the contrary they are welcomed. provided they agree to study and

practice also what is proposed in this course. The aim is to arrive

at correct conclusions of the nature of learning and of learning

math, to experience that such is attainable by all who wish to do so,

and that all teachers can get their students to know likewise.

Reading? A wholesale reading of books outlining other approaches and

traditional research will not be required. A list of

recommended books wilt be available.

Writing? Written accounts will be required from each student

of his/her thought, study, teaching, both of some

mathematics and its practice in the classroom.

Requisites? Everyone will be expected to join in with the activities

and discussions; to spend at least double the time

we meet, on homework, thinking, discussing, doing some

mathematics, teaching, reading, writing, arguing, etc.

If in doubt as to the suitability of this course for you, please feel

free to discuss the issues with the instructor prior to registration.

A limitation is being placed on the enrollment number for the course

and more strictly adhered to than in past semesters. Professor

Trivett can be contacted at 922-6683 or through his office in

Building 6.