- Varying reinforcement styles: there should be less focus on right or
wrong answers and more focus on positive recognition of completing
the steps, regardless of the outcome. Encourage learners to self-chart
their progress. Have them keep track of how many and which facts are
mastered and how many more there are to go. Include monitoring
student progress on a frequent basis, teaching math skills to mastery
and teaching generalization.36
Integrated in the instructions techniques are the use of both direct instruction
and a collaborative approach. The rule when using these two approaches is to
engage learners in collaborative approach, only after they have received direct
instruction in the mathematics and the objectives for the group activity.
"Therefore, "lesson instruction" consists first of direct instruction, and then the
cooperative learning activity. Cooperative learning can be used as the "guided
practice" time when students engage in tasks to practice introduced skills." 37
Examples of math collaborative learning activities
Numbered Heads collaborative approach: After each team member numbers
off, students discuss the answer to a question. Then, in a large group, the
teacher calls a specific number and group to answer the questions.
Math example: Discuss the answer to a mental computation problem. Apply
the definition of a rule previously introduced to problems; explain the
application of the rule.
Round the Table collaborative approach: Students work on problems jointly
by passing the problems around the table for each member's response.
Math example: Pass a worksheet with multiplication facts for each member to
answer a problem. Pass problems for each member to compute the next step
of an algorithm.38
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