engleski

Exploratory learning of mathematics in primary school: advantages and examples

Explorative learning is a well known form of teaching, but is relatively rarely used in mathematics. In this approach the necessary terms and other theoretical background is explained after some conclusions have been obtained e.g. on the basis of an experiment. Mathematics on the other side is better known as a theoretical, and less as an experimental scientific discipline, and thus it seems that it is harder to develop lesson plans appropriate for exploratory learning. Mathematical formality is not a subject in its own right, although it seems so to many children during their schooling and they often keep this opinion when they grow up. Many papers emphasize the advantages of learning through exploration, and particularly for learning geometry there are many elaborate examples. The purpose of this presentation is to enlarge the pool of ideas for developing the explorative approach in teaching mathematics, particularly for non-geometric topics, and thus to encourage an increase in the use of this teaching form in the teaching of mathematics in primary schoold. Furthermore, an emphasis shall be put on the fact that the often heard argument „we do not have time to separate from the classical lessons for exploratory learning/learning through projects“ in fact is no argument at all, because this other approach covers the same subject-matters, but increases the understanding and also the interest of pupils for mathematics.

exploratory learning; classroom projects; mathematical experiments; constructivist information-processing approach to teaching and learning

Sažetak je u istom zborniku objavljen i na hrvatskom jeziku, str. 426-427.