Entrance slip - Inquiry Topic Possibilities

Becoming a teacher was not something that seemed to be a natural choice or something I had always know. Certain areas of education peaked my interests in the way we communicate mathematics to young people. I am particularly interested in the inclusion of pure mathematics as a way of aiding with understanding and retention. Other areas that interest me are the use of code in creating simulations in code as a teaching mechanism and also the consequences of group work on mathematics problems.

Pure mathematics: often times we communicate the way to do math instead of the way to understand math. Certain concepts can be explained very easily using basic geometry, number theory, and other more theoretical elements. I think that if we have the ability to set the steps necessary for students to find the answer to the problem themselves, whatever the given concept might be, then it will be more natural for them to remember and further it will build confidence in the operations being performed. Further, viewing things from a theoretical stand point often relies on concepts that have already been taught in past years thus providing the opportunity to review and put previous concepts in context.

Numerical Analysis: code is becoming increasingly accessible and important in numerous fields. I am interested in the benefits creating interactive learning environments through the use of code. It could be visual but further it breaks up problems into the smallest steps, similarly to when using pure math.

Group work: what kinds of projects will be interactive and challenging that allow for natural group work? Not all problems are approriate for group work and its important to know how how to design projects such that it does become a positive collaborative space.