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Resolving Mathematical Confusions

Throughout the year the practicum students received instruction in math content from Dr. Lewis and math methods from Dr. Heaton. Periodically the practicum students would be in a state of “mathematical disequilibrium” due to being baffled by some area of math. It was interesting to me to see how the preservice teachers resolved their confusions. They talked to each other, other practicum students or visited with Dr. Lewis and Dr. Heaton. Through “talking it out” and working through their confusions the practicum students were better able to understand the math content. Second graders can be just a s baffled by two digit addition and subtraction as preservice teachers can be by adding and subtracting in other bases. I saw the preservice teachers identify with second graders struggling to understand math content because they had struggled, too. They were in the dual role of learner and teacher. The practicum students could put themselves in the position of confused learner and have more patience in “talking it out” with the second graders and helping them to work through their confusions.