The GRID as Pedagogical Tool

The gird, composed as it is of horizontal and vertical bands, produce trapped spaces of specific sizes:

These spaces represent the congruency of a pair of simultaneously existing elements (a) and (b). This is interesting from a pedagogical perspective. In Math, simultaneous processing of numerical information is critical. e.g. The mind should be able to hold 2, sometimes more, bits of information simultaneously, while manipulating any one of them e.g. when multiplying 42 x 8 one has to remember to add the carryover of 1 ten while recalling where to write the 6 (in the Ones column) while also keeping the 4 Tens within range as the recall of the tables of 8 and 4 gets triggered. These mental manipulations, although beginning at different times (within nano-seconds of each other) exist simultaneously during certain periods throughout the manipulations.

Copyright 2011 Shad Moarif

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

In solving word-problems, learners need similar, but more complex forms of simultaneous-processing that require converting printed information into linguistic, numerical, visual and visuo-spatial forms while engaging in analysis, organization and exploratory mental manipulations to test their personal heuristic approaches. There is an obvious connection between the product cell (ab) and the simultaneity of two bits of information coexisting within it. Equally obvious, and somewhat worrying, is the growing load on shortterm/working memory for learners who need to engage in simultaneous processing of information, where speed and accuracy becomes as critical as connection-making. I am exploring ways of breaking this connection down into a sequence of transitional steps by distilling them visually. The distillations should reveal a seamless, organic and evolving process between selecting and organizing information in simple word-problems and reassembling them into a grid-mould. The idea is to make learners experience their simultaneous processing as an internal activity that can be externalized and made visible and manipulable. They should be able fuse their simultaneous processing with the cells of a grid if the grid is understood (and experienced) as (i) a collection of resting places to relieve the stress of simultaneous processing over long periods and (ii) a self-organizing tool designed to reflect back information in a way that lends itself to see future...somehwat distant... outlines of an emerging solution. I have categorized the Grid into 4 types according to their uses for storing, sorting, and displaying numerical information as explained above: 1. Nominational 2. Productive 3. Directional 4. Visuo-Spatial This webinar is to invite ideas, insights and suggestions regarding my Grid Categorization, more specifically around the labels I have used. Shad Moarif

Copyright 2011 Shad Moarif

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Founder-Developer Karismath

Copyright 2011 Shad Moarif

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED