A total of 21 teachers from different schools ended the first version of the Workshop on Solving Problems from Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) of Universidad de Chile. From March, the group learnt how to apply this tool in the classroom in order to improve the students’ performance in Mathematics.
“Throughout the workshop, the methodology was presented. First, they experimented it in classes and, next, slowly, applied it with the student. This was a learning process that needed to be developed over a year, because students don’t usually work in groups and teachers often explain everything. Here, the idea is that students can solve problems in their own way”, says Patricio Felmer, coordinator of the workshop and CMM researcher.
Every month, teachers asked to the schoolchildren to solve a math problem, applying the contents of the workshop. Then, students discuss and speak about the problem trying to get one or several solutions.
“It is a different way to see a math problem. You try to make the kids to think a little further”, explains Carolina Barceló, from San Joaquín School in Renca.
The results benefitted to the students: they lost fear and like mathematics more today. This also motivated them to learn more. However, it is a challenge for teachers too, said Josefina Mozo, from San José de Lampa school: “This tool implies to make a mess in the classroom and, from that new organization of the class and willingness to work, to develop skills and strategies in the kids”.
Next year, the idea is this group of Math teachers complete the second part of the workshop to fully apply this methodology.
