It鈥檚 tough to do math without sets, sums, and multipliers, so it stands to reason that it鈥檇 be tough to learn math solo, outside of a group.
Indeed, research shows that math is best learned in a community. In this post, we鈥檒l explain why that is, what it looks like in a classroom, and how you can create a community for your math students.
What math community means: Creative classroom ideas
There are many types of math communities: online interest groups, professional organizations, the Mathletes.
In the context of a math classroom, a math community refers to the collaborative environment a teacher can create using both math strategies and social strategies (and by involving students鈥� parents and guardians). In a robust math community, all students feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and engaging in mathematical conversations.
In other words, math communities are student-centered. Rather than delivering information, teachers guide students. They encourage students to explore math concepts, make connections to the real world, and ask questions鈥攐f each other, and the teacher.
And in a math community, wrong answers aren’t dismissed鈥攊n fact, they’re an essential part of the learning process. In our webinar , educator and director of research at Desmos, Dan Meyer underlines the importance of students understanding 鈥渢he value in their thinking鈥攚hich means the value in their wrong answers.鈥�
Benefits of math community: Equity in schools and more
A community-oriented math classroom can help each student learn, and all students learn. Here鈥檚 how.
- Increased engagement. When students feel a sense of belonging and connection in their math class, they’re more likely to be engaged and motivated. By promoting open discussions, group activities, and cooperative problem-solving, teachers can help students鈥攅ven those who don鈥檛 think they’re “math people”鈥攄evelop a genuine interest in math.
- Reduced math anxiety. Math anxiety affects at least 20% of students. It can hinder their growth in math and beyond. But in a supportive math community鈥攚here different styles and wrong answers are considered part of the process鈥攖hose students can thrive. Embracing and working from incorrect answers encourages students to focus on the 鈥渉ow鈥� of math, and to participate without fear of getting it wrong. They feel more comfortable asking questions, taking risks, and making mistakes as well as learning from them.
- Improved communication skills. In a math community, all students get the chance to communicate their mathematical thinking and reasoning. Explaining their ideas to others and listening to their classmates enhances their speaking and writing skills鈥攊n math, and across other subjects, too.
- Learning from diverse perspectives. A supportive math classroom community allows students from different backgrounds and with varying abilities to contribute to class and feel valued. Encouraging鈥攁nd observing鈥攖he sharing of diverse perspectives fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
- Positive reinforcement. A strong math community creates an environment where students feel valued, respected, included, and supported. It鈥檚 fertile ground for a growth mindset, one in which students believe they actually can do math regardless of challenges or errors. A math community encourages risk-taking, resilience, and perseverance鈥攊n math, and beyond.
How to engage students in math lessons that build community
Want to know how to make math fun and build community? Here are some ways to get started.
- Encourage collaboration. Promote a culture of cooperation and teamwork by incorporating group activities, peer support, and class discussions into your lessons.
- Celebrate brilliance. Recognize a variety of efforts, insights, and accomplishments among students鈥攊ncluding taking risks, and making mistakes. This will motivate all students to appreciate different ways of learning and the value of both process and product.
- Personalize support. Offering individualized help to students who need it shows commitment to their success and builds a supportive environment for everyone.
- Develop a growth mindset. Create a culture where mistakes are inevitable, even welcomed, as part of the learning process. Encourage perseverance and persistence.
- Choose meaningful tasks. Assign problems with real-world relevance. Working together to solve them helps students see听 the 鈥渨hy鈥� of math鈥攁nd connect with each other in the process.
- 听Play. Game-ifying problems and introducing friendly competition builds camaraderie and helps students find shared joy in math鈥攁 win-win!
