Getting creative with math

Anastasia Cunningham, Senior Gleaner Writer

REALISING THE universal dissatisfaction with the way mathematics is being taught, Neal Koblitz, professor of mathematics at the University of Washington, has been travelling around the world presenting creative methods for teaching the subject.

At the Shortwood Teachers' College in Kingston yesterday, students, teachers, and professors came together for a workshop on creative, thought-provoking mathematics teaching and learning presented by Koblitz.

"The idea is to present math as thought-provoking rather than purely a mechanical procedure," said Koblitz.

"We need to teach children how to apply a creative thought process to math, challenge their creative process; challenge the students to come up with creative ways to solve a math problem as opposed to using the same formulas always taught. A creative thought process in coming to the same conclusion is the aim."

Hosted jointly by the Jamaica Collaborative for Universal Technology Education and the Caribbean Institute for Mathematical Sciences, students at the workshop were given math papers and exercises that were not part of their regular curriculum. Teachers assisted them as they worked through the papers.

"Although a controversial topic, mathematics reform is needed in order for students to fully grasp and appreciate this universal language," said Koblitz.