Transfer what was learned
“A major goal of schooling is to prepare students for flexible adaptation to new problems and setting. Students ability to transfer what they have learned to new situations provide an important index of adaptive, flexible learning; seeing how well they do this can help educators evaluate and improve their instruction.” (235)
As a Math teacher in my 3rd year, I was surprised when my former student came back to my classroom seeking financial advice. He had joined the military right after high school and was being deployed. His question to me was, “what do I do with my enlistment bonus?” As a single man who knew the importance of investment, he came back to me seeking advice. All I could say to him was: “you should have paid more attention in class.” He agreed.
I was so honored that he remembered the importance of investing and he knew to come to me as a source of information. Even though he was confused as to what to do with the money, he had some knowledge of the concepts I taught during my first year. It shows progress! Now I can adjust my instruction to emphasize the importance of concepts I teach. I can build on their interest and teach them to transfer what they learn to how they will pursue their lives. Whether they join the military, go to college, or get jobs right after high school, I need to show them that bridge that links what they learn to actual events they will one day encounter.
posted by M-ages at 6:35 PM
2 Comments:
In my math class I try to emphasize the thought process more than the solution. Students hate that. They want to have one answer, one way of doing something, etc. Most recently some of my students were doing surface area of pyramids and such. Today as we reviewed their test I said that remembering the formula for the volume of a sphere isn't as important as being able to use a formula and work with it to an accurate solution. This they will do as an accountant, pharmacist, or cement mixer.
My 6th graders enjoy our unit on stocks. They get $10,000 of fake money to use so motivation is easy but they also appreciate that they can use math skills they have learned previously with the project. In that regard, the transfer of what was learned can be motivating in itself.
9:11 AM
Wow, I can imagine how happy you were when your student approached you for advice. Your experience accentuates this chapter: preparing students for adaptation to new settings and then evaluating your instruction (253).
2:59 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home