Introduction and Broad Description of the Context and Goal of the area/ topic addressed
Welcome to Module 10 of the Excellence in Maths (E= MD ^2) course for teachers! Our aim is to help primary and secondary school students improve their mathematical skills. This module is specifically designed for teachers who work with students who struggle with maths. We want to give you, the teacher, a solid understanding of our innovative teaching method called E-MATH DEBATE and introduce you to two effective strategies: Personalised Learning Paths (PLPs) or Individualised Paths to Learning (IPL) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL). These strategies are excellent for motivating students who struggle with maths and actively engaging them in learning.
PLPs/IPLs, on the one hand, are about adapting mathematics teaching to the individual strengths, weaknesses and learning styles of each student. This allows you to provide targeted support and a learning environment that meets individual needs.
On the other hand, PBL is an exciting approach where students engage with real mathematical problems. They collaborate, think critically, and gain a comprehensive grasp of mathematical topics and their applications in the real world. It’s an exciting and practical approach for students struggling with maths to develop their problem-solving abilities.
In this module, we will explore the principles and strategies of PLPs/IPL and PBL and how you can implement them in your mathematics classroom. Our aim is to give you the tools to really improve your students’ mathematical literacy and achievement. So let us dive in and get ready to make maths a more enjoyable and successful journey for all your students!
Learning Objectives and outcomes
With the completion of this module the trainees will be able to:
- Effectively implement Personalised Learning Paths (PLPs)/ Individualised Paths to Learning (IPL) in their mathematics teaching. They will understand how to identify students’ individual strengths, weaknesses and learning styles and use this knowledge to adapt mathematics teaching accordingly.
- They will design and facilitate engaging Problem-Based Learning (PBL) activities in their mathematics lessons. They will learn how to design real-world mathematics problems that require students to use their knowledge, think critically, and collaborate with their peers in order to find answers.
- They will better assess and track the progress of students with math-related learning difficulties using PLPs/IPL and PBL methods. They will gain the skills to monitor individual student progress, identify areas for improvement and provide targeted support to help students overcome challenges and improve their mathematical understanding.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles and foundations of Personalised Learning Paths (PLPs) or Individualised Paths to Learning (IPL) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methods in the context of teaching mathematics to primary and secondary school students.
- Use the PLP/IPL approach to differentiate mathematics instruction based on the strengths, weaknesses and learning styles of individual students. Create and implement personalised learning plans that address the specific needs of students with learning difficulties in mathematics.
- Design and facilitate engaging Problem-Based Learning (PBL) activities that promote active participation, critical thinking, and collaborative problem solving among students with mathematical difficulties. Create authentic and relevant mathematical problems that stimulate curiosity and application of mathematical concepts in real-world contexts.
Methodology and approaches for the module training presentation
Personalised Learning Paths (PLPs) or Individualised Paths to Learning (IPL) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) for secondary school mathematics education will be the emphasis of this teacher training. These approaches will be included into our delivery strategy. We hope to offer teachers all the resources and information they require to create student-centered lessons that promote problem solving, creativity, social interaction and personalised learning through interactive activities and the incorporation of practical mathematical problems in real-life situations.
Instruments/ Tools/ Supporting Material/ Resources to be used
- Videos
- PowerPoint presentation(s)
- other interactive tools
