6. Goal-Free Problems in the classroom

6. Goal-Free Problems in the classroom

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5. The four ingredients of problem solving

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Introduction

  • 1. Introduction.mp4
  • 2. The benefits of online courses
  • 3. Getting the most out of the course
  • 4. Where are you at?

Three types of problems students struggle with

  • 1. The contextual problem
  • 2. The subtle contextual problem
  • 3. The multi-topic problem
  • 4. What about other types of problems?

Some controversial statements about problem solving

  • 1. Problem solving and learning
  • Research: Consequences of history-cued and means-end strategies in problem solving
  • Blog: The Difference Between Solving a Problem and Learning Some Math From It
  • 2. When to do problem solving
  • Podcast: Andrew Blair interview from 2017
  • Podcast: Andrew Blair interview from 2014
  • Link: Inquiry maths website
  • Link: Kapur's section on Productive Failure
  • Research: Element interactivity as a factor influencing the effectiveness of worked example–problem solving and problem solving–worked example sequences
  • Blog: John Sweller on Productive Failure
  • 3. The two year rule
  • Article: The fundamental problem with teaching problem solving
  • 4. Problem solving strategies
  • Podcast: Michael Pershan on problem solving strategies

Routines

  • The importance of routines.mp4
  • Podcast: Bruno Reddy on routines

Ingredient 1 - SSDD Problems

  • 1. What is the problem?
  • Research: The Benefit of Interleaved Mathematics Practice is not limited to Superficially Similar kinds of Problems
  • 2. What is the solution?
  • Link: SSDD Problems website
  • 3. Why might SSDD Problems be a good idea?
  • 4. Some of my favourite SSDD Problems
  • 5. Narrow the domain (method select)
  • 6. The SSDD Problems website.mp4
  • 7. SSDD Problems with different age groups
  • 8. SSDD Problems in different subjects
  • 9. SSDD Problems in the classroom
  • 10. What do students say?
  • 11. Idea: Mixed-topic starters
  • Research: Using Spacing to Enhance Diverse Forms of Learning
  • 12. Idea: Command words
  • A teacher's guide to command words
  • 13. Idea: Problem solving for all
  • 14. Idea: Group work
  • 15. Idea: High-value skills
  • 16. Idea: DSID
  • Link: Miss Konstantine on Twitter
  • 17. Idea: Planning for error
  • 18. Idea: Providing a purpose
  • 19. Idea: Reacting to exam questions
  • 20. Idea: (Blind) modeling
  • 21. Idea: What is the question?
  • 22. Final reflection
  • Resource: SSDD Problems (blank) by Nathan Day
  • Resource: SSDD Problems (example) by Nathan Day

Ingredient 2 - Goal-Free Problems

  • 1. What is the problem?
  • Research: Cognitive Load Theory, Learning Difficulty and Instructional Design
  • Blog: The goal-free approach: My talk from CogSciSci 2019
  • 2. What is the solution?
  • Blog: Sweller on the difference between Goal-Free Problems and minimally guided instruction
  • 3. Goal-Free Problems with different age groups
  • 4. The Goal-Free Problems website
  • Link: The Goal-Free Problems website
  • 5. But they won't look like this in the exam
  • 6. Goal-Free Problems in the classroom
  • 7. Idea: In lessons
  • Link: White Rose Maths problems of the day
  • 8. Idea: Exam preparation
  • 9. Idea: Exam technique
  • Blog: John Sweller on exam technqiue
  • 10. Idea: Goal-Free mock exams
  • 11. Idea: Problem of the week
  • 12. Idea: When to use Goal-Free Problems
  • 13. Reflection

Ingredient 3 - Purposeful practice

  • 1. What is the problem?
  • Book: The hidden lives of learners
  • 2. What is the solution?
  • Activity: Simplifying ratio Venn Diagram 1
  • Activity: Simplifying ratio Venn Diagram 2
  • 3. Principles of Purposeful Practice
  • Research: Developing mathematical fluency: comparing exercises and rich tasks
  • 4. The power of Purposeful Practice
  • 5. Purposeful Practive versus Intelligent Practice
  • 6. Venn Diagrams - laying the foundations
  • Link: CIMT MEP materials
  • Link: Maths Venns website
  • 7. Venn Diagrams - prompts for thinking deeper
  • Prompts for thinking deeper
  • 8. Venn Diagrams - in the classroom
  • Activity: Types of number Venn Diagram
  • 9. Venn Diagram - averages and range
  • Activity: Averages and range Venn Diagram
  • 10. Venn Diagrams - straight line graphs
  • Activity: Straight line graphs Venn Diagram
  • Venn Diagrams on the playground
  • 11. Venn Diagrams - time to move on
  • 12. Colin Foster - linear equations
  • Link: Mathematical etudes website
  • Activity: Expression polygons
  • 13. Colin Foster - enlargement
  • Activity: Staying on the page
  • Resource: Geogebra file for enlargements
  • 14. Don Steward - written subtraction
  • Link: Median maths blog
  • Activity: Two-digit subtraction
  • 15. Don Steward - factors
  • Activity: Four factors
  • Activity: Factor facts
  • 16. Open Middle - FPD conversions
  • Link: Open Middle website
  • Activity: Converting between fractions and decimals
  • 17. Open Middle - area of quadrilaterals
  • Activity: Area of a quadrilateral
  • 18. NRICH - adding fractions
  • Link: NRICH website
  • Activity: Almost one
  • 19. NRICH - expanding and simplifying
  • Activity: The simple life
  • 20. Reflection

Ingredient 4 - UKMT questions

  • 1. Introduction
  • Link: UKMT website
  • 2. UKMT Problems in the classroom
  • 3. Source - Diagnostic Questions
  • Link: UKMT questions on Diagnostic Questions
  • Resource: UKMT (example) by Nathan Day
  • Resource: UKMT questions (blank) by Nathan Day
  • 4. Source - Dr Frost Maths
  • Link: Dr Frost Maths
  • 5. Source - NRICH short problems
  • Link: NRICH short problems
  • 6. Reflection

Useful links - from others

  • 10 part blog series: How do kids think about solving equations?
  • Research: Developing students’ strategies for problem solving in mathematics
  • Video: Lessons for Mathematical Problem Solving
  • Video: Alan Schoenfeld on Poyla's problem solving approach
  • Blog: Problem solving or explicit instruction: Which should go first when element interactivity is high? by Greg Ashman

Conclusion

  • 1. Where to next.mp4
  • 2. My online courses.mp4
  • Course feedback
  • Course certificate
  • My online courses

Useful links - from me

  • My research paper collection
  • Book: How I wish I'd taught maths
  • Book: Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain
  • Mr Barton Maths website
  • Mr Barton Maths Podcast
  • Diagnostic Questions
  • Variation Theory
  • SSDD Problems
  • Maths Venns