Tag Archives: discovery learning

Visual Models, Procedural Fluency, and Multiple Strategies:A Cognitive Critique of Common Core Elementary Mathematics

Posted on 28/06/2026 by Qianruo Shen

https://nonpartisaneducation.org/Review/Reviews/v22n1.html by Qianruo Shen Abstract: This paper examines the cognitive and curricular problems of Common Core elementary mathematics. Through analysis of Big Ideas Math and related instructional practices, it argues that, visual representations are employed excessively and without sufficient transition … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Core, constructivism, Curriculum & Instruction, Education policy, Eric A. Nelson, International Tests, K-12, math, Mathematics, Qianruo Shen, STEM | Tagged automaticity, cognitive science, conceptual, discovery learning, inquiry learning, memorization, PISA, standard algorithm, TIMSS, understanding | Leave a comment

Among the Constructivists

Posted on 09/10/2016 by Richard P Phelps

The online journal Aeon posted (6 October, 2016) The Examined Life, by John Taylor, director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation at Cranleigh boarding school in Surrey (U.K.). https://aeon.co/essays/can-school-today-teach-anything-more-than-how-to-pass-exams Taylor advocates “independent learning” in describing his “ideal classroom”: “The atmosphere in … Continue reading →