Letter of the Day | Maths teachers need to change approach for better results

THE EDITOR, Madam:

For many years, and more recently, the devastating results in mathematics, both in the CXC and other internal exams, continue to be a challenge. It is critical that the teaching methodologies are changed. The teachers need to use different approaches such as maths vocabulary, using literacy skills in mathematics by incorporating reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical-thinking instruction. There should be everyday life experiences in concept teaching and embracing technology, if they are to see improvement in students’ results.

Teachers need to understand that the teaching and learning of maths should be one in which students become engage in concrete learning by using materials that allow them to handle physical objects to encode and retrieve information for retention. The excuse of lack of resources should not be used; instead, they should use recycled materials as an opportunity for great results.

Moreover, using maths vocabulary can increase student’s comprehension and ability to tackle maths word problems, improve performance on standards tests, and give students an opportunity to progress through the grade levels. In addition, it provides teachers with value -added information with an idea of how many students in their classes understood mathematical concepts taught and strategies needed for reinforcement.

The reality is, our students will continue to struggle in mathematics classes because of little or no opportunities for literacy skills to read, write speak and listen. However, this will have to change, as exposing Jamaican students to mathematics task that promotes the use of literacy skills and literacy strategies for context task will allow them to use critical-thinking skills – along with a combination of maths vocabulary and everyday experiences and technology – is the way forward to improve their understanding in solving mathematical problems.

It is only through embracing changes and implementing different approaches in teaching mathematics that teachers will experience improved result in mathematics passes, be it CXC or internal exams. Embrace change now and reap success tomorrow.

ANDREA O’CONNOR

awrightoconnor@hotmail.

com