This math teacher is focusing on helping her students understand WHY concepts in math work. Often, students can give an answer to a math problem, but can’t explain how they got there. In Ms. Gagnon’s class in Burlington, Vt., students are learning how to explain mathematical concepts using an app that requires them to describe each step of their work. They’re able to record themselves talking through the steps, which for many students is more comfortable than writing an explanation on paper. Ms. Gagnon can review these recordings to truly get a sense of her students’ understanding of the WHY in math.
Produced by Sean Hirten, Storyteller at Lyman C. Hunt Middle School
