Intrinsic Motivation In Math Teaching

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I believe that the challenge of sustaining and developing intrinsic motivation for Mathematics in students is a key issue in the teaching and learning of problem solving at the primary / secondary level.
According to India’s National Curriculum Framework -NCF,(2005), ‘the primary goal of
Mathematics education is mathematisation of the child’s thought processes. The NCF mentions that mathematics takes place in a situation where students pose and solve meaningful problems. Ironically, the document goes on to state that the problems of Mathematics teaching and learning, in India are –
• Sense of fear and failure amongst majority of children
• Curriculum that disappoints both talented minority and non-participating majority
• Crude methods of …show more content…

The low intrinsic motivation issue is a direct outcome of the limited interpretation and consequent practice of problem solving through the myopic lens of ‘teaching for problem solving’ rather than the much warranted ‘teaching through problem solving’ approach.
Research shows that students learn mathematics as a result of solving problems. Mathematical ideas are the outcomes of problem solving experience rather than elements that must be taught before problem solving (Hiebert et al., 1996, 1997), as practiced in the traditional ‘teaching for problem solving’ approach. The process of solving problems is interwoven with learning; children learn mathematics by doing mathematics and by doing mathematics they learn mathematics (Cai, 2010).
The traditional didactic drill-and-practice approach of ‘teaching for problem solving’ has unfortunately dominated the teaching practice across classrooms and has led to the current situation where Math is one of the most dreaded and hated subjects. While this traditional model might be helpful for remembering facts and procedures, it certainly does not cater to the high cognitive demand expected from frameworks like integrated strands for mathematical proficiency or common core practice standards. While students may develop procedural fluency, they would often lack the deep conceptual

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