Why Cling to Traditional Teaching with Lectures, Worksheets, Drill and Tests?
Most students can learn best by lecture, worksheets, drill and practice. Students cannot learn as much in groups or with projects, they learn best by sitting quietly in rows and listening to the teacher. This way is more effective; students learn all the steps and procedures. I learned it the old way. It worked for me. I learned it this way and so can my students. I don’t think the new system will work as well. This way has been used for 500 years, why change now? The old way works best and there is no need for change. The test scores show students are having difficulty learning math. So we just need to teach the old way better. Give more drill and practice on the basics, flash cards, mnemonics, tricks and poems for better memorization. Understanding will automatically follow memorization. I don’t expect students to understand when they first learn it. If students memorize the material, they will begin to understand it as they progress through more advanced classes.
