There are two main approaches in teaching and learning mathematics based on the psychological theories in education:
Behaviorist approach :
1. drill -practice (practice makes perfect)
2. mastery of skills (lower order thinking skills- knowledge, comprehension and application)
3. performance- based (how to do) - suitable for routine/familiar problems
4. focus on algorithm (procedures/steps of calculation)
5. mistakes and errors should be avoided/minimized
6. teacher- centered (focus on teaching)
Cognitive approach :
1. construction of meaning (searching for meaning)
2. conceptual understanding (higher order thinking skills - analysis, synthesis and evaluation)
3. thinking- based (emphasis on why) - suitable for non- routine/ unfamiliar problems
4. focus on heuristic (general methods of solving problems) - Polya's Model
5. mistakes and errors is good indicators of misconceptions and difficulties
6. student- centered (focus on learning)
Discuss with suitable examples on how to use behaviorist and cognitive approaches in teaching and learning mathematics in the classroom. Why teachers need to master both approaches?
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