About Collaborative Mathematics
Collaborative Mathematics and the Video Challenge Project aim to use video as a means of connecting a worldwide community of mathematical problem solvers. A step-by-step description of the process can be found here.
The intended audience for this site is primarily middle and high school mathematics students. The videos that are produced may be of interest to traditional classroom teachers, as well as leaders of non-traditional learning environments (for example self-paced and home school situations). The videos might also be enjoyed by ''recreational'' mathematicians and anyone with an interest in creativity and problem solving. More information for teachers and parents can be found here.
The intended audience for this site is primarily middle and high school mathematics students. The videos that are produced may be of interest to traditional classroom teachers, as well as leaders of non-traditional learning environments (for example self-paced and home school situations). The videos might also be enjoyed by ''recreational'' mathematicians and anyone with an interest in creativity and problem solving. More information for teachers and parents can be found here.
The Motivation
When faced with a problem that they do not immediately know how to solve (and solve quickly), many students become frustrated. They may be tempted to give up, sometimes before having even made much of an attempt. At best, they may blame the problem: ''This one is too hard.'' Worse, they may blame themselves: ''I must not be good at math.''
Yet, as Dan Meyer said so strikingly in his TED talk ''Math Curriculum Makeover'',
Yet, as Dan Meyer said so strikingly in his TED talk ''Math Curriculum Makeover'',
No problem worth solving is that simple. I am very concerned about this because
I'm going to retire in a world that my students will run.
Our students and children will be working to control and counteract climate change, solving the energy crisis, and repairing the global economy. None of these problems will have a quick and easy solution.
So, one of the goals of Collaborative Mathematics is to help cultivate a productive attitude toward challenging problems: one of creativity, resourcefulness, self-confidence, and perseverance.
I believe helping students to develop this productive attitude may be the most important educational objective in the classroom. Students (themselves, their families, their communities) will benefit from developing a sense of resourcefulness in the face of challenging problems long after they have forgotten how to solve a quadratic equation.
So, one of the goals of Collaborative Mathematics is to help cultivate a productive attitude toward challenging problems: one of creativity, resourcefulness, self-confidence, and perseverance.
I believe helping students to develop this productive attitude may be the most important educational objective in the classroom. Students (themselves, their families, their communities) will benefit from developing a sense of resourcefulness in the face of challenging problems long after they have forgotten how to solve a quadratic equation.
About Jason Ermer
I'm a trained computer scientist who has had an award-winning, international career as a professional educator working with teens, university undergraduates, and adults. For more information about me and my other projects, please visit jasonermer.com.
