Comprehensive Instruction
Provide instruction that develops conceptual understanding, computational fluency, and problem-solving skills.
To prepare students for algebra, the mathematics curriculum must simultaneously develop conceptual understanding, computational fluency, and problem-solving skills. The development of these concepts and skills is intertwined, each supporting the other and reinforcing learning.
Teachers can help by providing students with sufficient practice distributed over time and including a conceptually rich and varied mix of problems to support their learning. In addition, teachers should encourage and support students in their efforts to master difficult mathematics content. Students who believe that effort, not just inherent talent, counts in learning mathematics can improve their performance.
Teachers can help by providing students with sufficient practice distributed over time and including a conceptually rich and varied mix of problems to support their learning. In addition, teachers should encourage and support students in their efforts to master difficult mathematics content. Students who believe that effort, not just inherent talent, counts in learning mathematics can improve their performance.
Multimedia Overview
Developing Conceptual Understanding, Fluency, and Problem Solving
Use this multimedia overview to learn about the value of simultaneously teaching concepts, procedures, and problem solving; the importance of practice distributed over time in developing automaticity and improving fluency, including the use of technology-based tools; and the relationship between student beliefs about learning and mathematics performance. (8:37 min)