Author Archive
Richard Skemp's Relational Understanding and Instrumental Understanding
Posted by: Gary Ernest Davis on: January 8, 2010
In 1976 Richard Skemp published an important discussion paper spelling out the differences between relational and instrumental understanding as they apply to mathematical teaching and learning. His paper discusses matters that are as important and relevant to the practice of teaching mathematics now as they were when he wrote, 34 years ago. Instrumental teaching is […]
Why multiply binomials?
Posted by: Gary Ernest Davis on: January 5, 2010
This is a joint post of Gary Davis & Glenn Kenyon The issue Glenn recently tweeted: Â Google Search on “Why multiply binomials” yields site on HOW, not WHY. Anyone out there know a reason why that 8th graders can relate to? Searching the Web for a reason why anyone would be even vaguely interested in […]
