MISTAKES...

Week 3

We are now approaching the midway point, and with that being said, I have learned one of the most significant life lesson to use towards my future students. This week was all about different learning styles and making mistakes in math. One topic that was brought up in class was the idea of different learning styles. This notion was first brought to my attention when I was in elementary school as my teachers would make the class do a test to see what our learning style was. Ever since then, I had it set in my mind that the only way I would learn best is visual. Rewind years after, in class this week we talked about that idea and that we have to steer away from the thought that our learning style is the only way we would learn. But the idea behind it is that our learning style is how we learn easiest. With students, we need to cater to all learning styles and incorporate all the senses for students to retain the content that we are teaching them. By engaging all the sense, there is a high chance that the students will remember something from the lesson by memory recall. 

Image by Punk Learning. [http://punklearning.com/blog/149660/do-learning-styles-really-exist]

The second big learning idea that was brought in our online section was the idea of making mistakes in math. I learned that it is good to make mistakes in math because you are enabling your brain to grow. By getting the answers right, you are not challenging your brain, therefore, strengthening your brain neurons. 

Image by Tang Institute. [http://tanginstitute.andover.edu/fostering-growth-mindset].

When you enable your brain to struggle, you are working your brain just as you would when you workout and strengthen your muscles. It is encouraging to make mistakes and struggle not only for brain growth but to see that there are different creative ways to solve math problems. Students need to realize that success is built on failed success and that getting things right all the time is not reality. Making mistakes and learning new strategies is much more effective and empowering for student success than getting the answers right all the time. In order to get outside of the bubble, students should first try ideas that would seem wild to others, feel comfortable being wrong, become open to new experiences and willing to challenge traditional ideas. Once you instil those practices onto your students, you are teaching your students habits that will bring them success in their future as they are adapting a growth mindset. 

Enjoy!