ERIC Number: EJ1107649
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2301-251X
EISSN: N/A
Minimal Interventions in the Teaching of Mathematics
Foster, Colin
European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, v2 n3 p147-154 2014
This paper addresses ways in which mathematics pedagogy can benefit from insights gleaned from counselling. Person-centred counselling stresses the value of genuineness, warm empathetic listening and minimal intervention to support people in solving their own problems and developing increased autonomy. Such an approach contrasts starkly with the much more directive and leading interventions often made by mathematics teachers in the classroom. In this position paper I argue that minimal teacher interventions are a powerful way to support students in their learning of mathematics. Drawing on the interplay between a mathematics teacher's responsibility to teach mathematics and their duty to support students pastorally, I argue that such an approach builds on skills that teachers already possess and has considerable potential to enhance students' healthy mathematical development.
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Teacher Role, Intervention, Counseling, Teacher Student Relationship, Personal Autonomy, Student Needs, Mathematics Teachers, Foreign Countries
European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education. Eastern Mediterranean University, Farnagusta, TRNC, Mersin 10, Turkey. e-mail: editor@scimath.net; Web site: http://www.scimath.net
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A