MATH OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Many parents have noticed that the math of today is VERY different than what they learned years ago.  This is true, not so much in content, but in context.  A recent article in the Ohio Journal of School Mathematics (#66-Fall, 2012) has an article that described what math of today is looking to achieve.  The article by Hodgson, Eisenhardt, and Magavin-Smith refers to mathematical understanding today in terms of six literacies.

1. The student understands the overall goal of the procedure and can predict or estimate the outcome.
2. The student understands how to carry out the procedure and knows alternative methods and representations of the procedure.
3. The student understands and can communicate to others why the procedure is effective and valid.
4. The student understands how to evaluate the results of the procedure by invoking connections with a context, alternative procedures, or other mathematical ideas.
5. The student understands and uses mathematical reasoning to assess the relative efficiency and accuracy of the procedure as compared to alternative methods.
6. The student understands why the procedure empowers him or her as a problem solver.

These are many of the goals I am trying to achieve with your son and/or daughter.  You can help your son and/or daughter reach these goals through the use of questioning.  While they are working on homework or studying try asking them some of the following questions:

1. What sort of answer should you expect?
2. Why does the procedure (method you chose to use) work or not work?
3. Is the method you chose the best to use?
4. How do you know the answer is correct?
5. What other types of problems could you use your method to solve?
6. How do you use what you know to solve what you don't know?
7. Is there a pattern you can use to help you solve the problem or other problems like it?
8. Why is it important to show your work and/or evidence of your solution? 

The goal of recent changes in mathematics is to make our children more successful as adults.  With a better understanding of the reasoning behind the math, it is my belief that we will better prepare our students to be career and college ready.