Activity 6.2

I can connect to the Math Needs a Makeover discussion because I’ve worked with students that have a lack of initiative and an aversion to word problems. I agree with Dan Meyer, that the curriculum being taught doesn’t teach students how to problem solve but rather creates impatience with resolution.  Many of my past students simply wanted a math formula and were reluctant to converse about math problems or attempt to think or even solve the problem.  This also makes me think about the information processing perspective that problem solving is analogous to learning. Therefore, when students aren’t able to problem solve or refuse to, they stop the process of accommodation and learning doesn’t take place. 

I found Tom Wujec’s results in the Marshmallow Challenge, interesting and relatable. The kindergarteners performed very well on the challenge because their approach was better than the businessmen. Also, according to the cognitive constructivist perspective, students are active learners that construct knowledge based upon past experiences.  The kindergarteners most likely had prior experience building and used those skills during the challenge.  In addition, the social constructivist believe that social interaction is important in the process of learning and development.  In this activity, the children were able to use prior knowledge and discuss their ideas with one another. First, I was surprised that the children out preformed the business men, but similar to my own experience as a teacher, students often have hidden skills and or experiences outside of the classroom, which the teacher knows nothing about.