As Dan Meyer was talking, I kept having flashbacks of my experience in most of my math classes. I survived, because I learned to decode the textbook. Just as Meyer described, I figured out to how to identify the key numbers, recognize the patterns, pinpoint the formulas and eventually solve the problem. Then, I would just repeat the process with the rest of the problems. At that time, I thought I learned the math, because I was able to pass the tests. Listening to Dan Meyer, I now realize that the only skills I gained revolved around decoding a text. I wonder how many other people have experienced the same?
Throughout his talk, he also emphasized the need to be patient problem solvers. He mentions David Milch’s, television show creator, decision to no longer create television dramas. Milch believes that these television shows construct neural pathways that create “impatience, with irresolution…” Meyer compares this belief to traditional math instruction, because we are not encouraging patience in problem solving. We expect to solve all problems, in real life, in a matter of a few minutes, similar to how problems are solved in sitcoms, not in real life. I had never thought of it in this way, but I completely agree. When students talk to me about their frustration with math, it usually stems from a lack of patience and perseverance.
I completely understand why Dan Meyer is asking us to insist on better math curriculum and encourage more patient problem solvers. A curriculum that doesn’t provide all the information and requires students to take an active role not only in patiently solving the problem, but also formulating the problem. I don’t believe this will be easy, but I do believe it is possible, because it is what is right for our students.