Site search

Forums
/ Subjects / Mathematics

Interpreting Carol Dweck's Motivation Questionairre

Last post 25/12/10 at 00:41 by weebecka, 353 replies
Post started by mature_maths_trainee on 12/12/10 at 11:59

Rate this topic

All Topics
Select colour:
  • scentless_apprentice avatar
    Offline
    91
    Posted by: scentless_apprentice 19/12/2010 at 12:00
    Reply
    Joined on 26/02/2005
    Posts 143

    weebecka:

     

    Shall we just accept that you see maths as being an objective reality and I see it as being a personal, social and contextual reality (or something like that, I'm not sure I've expressed it very well)?

     

    To be honest, no, I don't think you have. I like to think I'm well read, and a little knowledgeable about the people you mention - Kuhn, Popper, et al - and yes, they have points, but I'm certain they'd agree that Mathematics - the proven, concrete stuff, that's been around since man first learned to scribe on a clay tablet - is objective. The whole scientific falliablity, paradigm shift stuff is such because science is applied mathematics - like poetry is applied language - and hence is open to interpretation. 

    But Mathematics itself certainly isn't. The difference between pure mathematics and applied mathematics is this - Pure just simply 'is'; Applied takes the agreed, proven statements of Pure Mathematics and uses them to solve problems in context.

    Creating social constructs is all well and good as you have rules in which to do so, but if you don't have the rules in the first place, then how can you play the game?

  • MathsMA avatar
    Offline
    92
    Posted by: MathsMA 19/12/2010 at 12:14
    Reply
    Joined on 25/10/2009
    Posts 144

    weebecka:
    If you see I was actually teaching in the UK at that time - I did this teaching during trips to the Middle East - so it was demonstration lesson and so on rather than employment.  This teaching was part of my project brief for the British Council where I was working with the Ministry for Education in Jordan.

    So now we're merely talking about demonstration lessons on ad hoc basis! That's somewhat different to what you inferring in your posts above about your "wealth of experience" in Middle Eastern schools (similarly your Little Beetles role & experiences would appear to be at odds with your earlier claims).

    weebecka:
      Bennies is the school of choice for most parents in West Cumbria 

    I think that quote says it all, in that a school of choice is not really one where pupils would be considered challenging (in context and all relative of course).

     

    weebecka:
    MathsMA most of the rest of your questions are covered on other threads in opinion.

    Could you quickly provide a summary then as given the propensity of threads, pages & posts on Opinion it is very difficult to pick all the pieces and put them together. It shouldn't take you too long to compose a short answer outlining your experiences and picking up on the pieces I've mentioned.

    It looks as though we have the earlier pieces tied up so it's really relating to Ehenside (with the two Year 11 Statemented kids & the 34 Year 9 pupils) and your experiences post that (I'm particularly intrigued about your freelance consultancy role & your current status and contributions with MMU).

     Thanks in advance.
  • MathsMA avatar
    Offline
    93
    Posted by: MathsMA 19/12/2010 at 12:19
    Reply
    Joined on 25/10/2009
    Posts 144

    And further to my post above and in your own words: 

    weebecka:
    If I've missed something you want to say please point me to what I've missed

    I have pointed out what you have missed.

    weebecka:
    If you want me to read some back catalogue of threads, please show me which.

    Indeed, rather than just say "they're answered on opinion".
  • DM avatar
    Offline
    94
    Posted by: DM 19/12/2010 at 12:23
    Reply
    Joined on 12/05/2003
    Posts 5,434

    weebecka:
    Time to go and chat to Scottish teachers about curriculum for excellence.

    Don't get caught in the snow.   We don't know what we would do without you.
  • DM avatar
    Offline
    95
    Posted by: DM 19/12/2010 at 12:24
    Reply
    Joined on 12/05/2003
    Posts 5,434

    CakeDrinksBeerParty!!!Pizza
  • MathsMA avatar
    Offline
    96
    Posted by: MathsMA 19/12/2010 at 12:34
    Reply
    Joined on 25/10/2009
    Posts 144

    Maths_Mike:
    OH DEAR!

    This can of Oxbridge academics approach to the teaching and learning of mathematics and debates using words and langauge that the majority of adults (let alone children) dont understand leaves me cold to be honest.

    It too leaves me cold, not least as it would appear that many fail to grasp the reality of working in "challenging" schools. Their inexperience in moving from the theoretical to the reality of the practical needs to be highlighted and challenged.

    Maths_Mike:
    What matters (and yes there is plenty of academic reaserch to support this to keep the boffs happy) is the realtionship between the pupil and the class.  Without it everything else is destined to fail.

    Absolutely. IMHO the single biggest influence in achieving success (however success is defined) is down to the relationship established between the teacher and the class. Get that right and you have a chance of moving on.

    Whilst I would accept that stimulating, interesting, challenging and engaging taks play their part, as you point out, in many classes without teahcer intervention and input, even these tasks degenerate in to "who has copped off with whom" and "who do you think should win The X Factor".

    Maths_Mike:
    So if I need to be a bit imaginiatve in what topics I teach , creative in the way they are presented or if I need just to rote learn some basics or do some consolidation excercises - all will be successful if the students are behaved well and set expectations that they will engage with the lesson.

    If they spend more time throwing paper pellets and listening to Itunes then all of the above debate becomes irrelevant.

    What he said.

    And if others challenge this, then my response would be that I really don't think you have had the experience of "challenging" classes .
  • Karvol avatar
    Offline
    97
    Posted by: Karvol 19/12/2010 at 12:35
    Reply
    Joined on 30/06/2008
    Posts 1,421

    weebecka:

    Karvol:
    Sigh, how long have you had this sense of victimhood about you?

    Nope, just a practical attitude to sorting out miscommunications where things have gone wrong. 

    Should you wish to.

    Which is seems you don't which is entirely your right.  

    In which case stop posting on this thread unless either:

    a) you have something interesting to say about Carol Dweck

    or 

    b) you just one of these nutters who thinks it a great idea to trash a good conversation with a continuous assassination of my character because that's what turns you on.

    or

    c) you want to put a bit of effort into getting past the misunderstanding which has occurred.

     

    Enough.  Time to go and chat to Scottish teachers about curriculum for excellence.

    MathsMA most of the rest of your questions are covered on other threads in opinion.

     

    Are you really trying an ad hominem type argument against me? Really?

    How old are you, 5?

    I simply pointed out that you do not read the posts for what they are but for what you wish them to be and you get offended.

    I ask you for your background and you quote working in HK and the M.E. in a number of schools which I take at face value. It now turns out you were working as a TESOL teacher in a primary school and then going to the M.E giving odd lessons on this and that for the British Council.

    And you accuse me of being deluded?

    Frankly, put up or shut up yourself.

    At least I can thank the OP for introducing the works of Carol Dweck to me. You might want to look into her C.V. She has actually published material and works in a University.
  • Betamale avatar
    Offline
    98
    Posted by: Betamale 19/12/2010 at 18:02
    Reply
    Joined on 31/07/2010
    Posts 513

    weebecka:

    That's very interesting Karvol.  If any futher thoughts come to you about this please let me know.

    I think that has summed your whole forum persona up in one.

    Someone who doesnt respond to points raised but simply spouts something even more off the wall to try baffle folk with a higher understanding. Mathematics is great becuase its generally right or wrong. Unfortunately this is an area of maths that allows people to talk, well....rubish, which can only be challenged with another subjective view.

    If you bring your road show/comedy act down south I would love to go..I enjoy learning...I would though probably be spending more time just watching the response of rest of the room.

    Im sure the 21 year old PGCE puppy would lap it up whilst doing his hard sort yet 99% of those who have done the job and continue to do it would probably be looking for the exit or nytol.

     
  • weebecka avatar
    Offline
    99
    Posted by: weebecka 19/12/2010 at 23:39
    Reply
    Joined on 15/09/2010
    Posts 956

    scentless_apprentice:

    The whole scientific falliablity, paradigm shift stuff is such because science is applied mathematics - like poetry is applied language - and hence is open to interpretation. 

    But Mathematics itself certainly isn't. The difference between pure mathematics and applied mathematics is this - Pure just simply 'is';

     

    So what "is" multiplication scentless_apprentice?  and anyone else who's watching.

  • scentless_apprentice avatar
    Offline
    100
    Posted by: scentless_apprentice 20/12/2010 at 00:20
    Reply
    Joined on 26/02/2005
    Posts 143

     

    weebecka:
    So what "is" multiplication scentless_apprentice?  and anyone else who's watching.

    I'm quite happy with the Wikipedia definition:

    "Multiplication (symbol "×") is the mathematical operation of scaling one number by another."

Back to top

Sign up – it’s free!

  • Don’t miss out on the latest jobs
  • Connect and share with friends
  • Download thousands of resources
  • Chat in the forums