Discovery Approach Practical Work Approach

1. METHODS OF TEACHING
MATHEMATICS
Reporter: Thea Andrea E. Solitana

2. INTRODUCTION
It is both a joy and a challenge to teach
mathematics. The difficulty in teaching is to
generate experiences that allow students to
actively participate in supporting their own
interpretation and application of mathematical
models necessary to make these experiences
comprehensible and relevant.
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3. Teaching Strategies/Approaches
in Mathematics
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Discovery Approach
Practical Work Approach
(PWA)

4. DISCOVERY
APPROACH
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5. DISCOVERY APPROACH
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The discovery approach is an effective
strategy for helping learners to
understand concepts and
generalizations and for developing
higher-thinking skills.

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It is an inductive approach to teaching
that encourages students to explore and
apply previously learned concepts in
order to uncover new ones. Its ultimate
goal is for students to learn how to learn
rather than what to learn.

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The teacher takes on the role of a coach,
encouraging students to discover the required
concepts. As a result, learners discover ideas
and concepts by responding to and actively
participating in challenging classroom contexts.
Learners derive new meanings from the
provided examples and scenarios based on their
own interests, experiences, and imagination.

8. MAIN STEPS IN
DISCOVERY
APPROACH
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1. Observe and discuss items or data to be
used in developing the concept.
Example:
(Mixed, Improper, and Proper Fractions)
What do you observe in these set of fractions?
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𝟕
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𝟑
𝟐
𝟏
𝟐
𝟑
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Steps in Discovery Approach

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2. Identify common features for use in
grouping the data, note the
distinguishing differences.
Example: How are they alike? How are they
different?
Steps in Discovery Approach

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3. Decide on a basis for grouping
them.
Example: How can the objects or numbers
be grouped? What is similar and what is
different about them? Why?
Steps in Discovery Approach

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4. Label, name or define each
group.
Example: What could be a good name
for each group?
Steps in Discovery Approach

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5. Have the learners use the term and
provide new examples.
Example: What other examples can
you give for this kind of materials?
Steps in Discovery Approach

14. Guidelines in
Implementing
Discovery Approach
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 Plan Ahead.
 Incorporate.
 Motivate and aim for success.
 Be supportive.
 Encourage Sharing.
Guidelines in Discovery Approach

16. Advantages
of Discovery
Approach
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 It encourages motivation, active
involvement, and creativity
 It can be adjusted to the learner’s pace
 It promotes autonomy and
independence
 It ensures higher levels of retention
Advantages of Discovery Approach

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 Make them responsible for their
own mistakes and results
 Learning as most adults learn on
the job and in real life situations
 Develops problem solving and
creative skills
Advantages of Discovery Approach

19. Disadvantages
of Discovery
Approach
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However, as all models, it has also few
drawbacks that can be summarized as follows:
 It shouldn’t be used as a main instruction
method, because it has limitations in practice
and might produce inadequate education.
 It needs a solid framework, because the
endless wandering and seeking for answers
might be confusing.
Disadvantages of Discovery Approach

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 Instructors need to be well prepared
and anticipate the questions they may
receive, and be able to provide the right
answers or guidelines.
 At a certain level, it rejects the idea that
there are significant skills and
knowledge that all learners should
need to learn.
Disadvantages of Discovery Approach

22. PRACTICAL WORK
APPROACH
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23. PRACTICAL WORK APPROACH
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The practical work approach (PWA) is a
strategy in which the learners manipulate
concrete objects or perform activities to
arrive at a conceptual understanding of
phenomena, situation or concept.

24. PRACTICAL WORK APPROACH
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The environment is a laboratory where the
natural events can be subjects of
mathematical or scientific investigations.
Learning activities can be done in the school
grounds, in the garden, in the field or just
about any safe place.

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This is because there are instances when
the resources required for practical work
are not available in the classroom due to
unforeseen circumstances. In this
circumstance, the students may be taken
to a location where they may observe the
materials and the setting.
PRACTICAL WORK APPROACH

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The learners' active participation and
exposure to relevant learning
environments are crucial factors in
establishing a meaningful
comprehension of mathematical
concepts.
PRACTICAL WORK APPROACH

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In preparing materials for individual or group work,
the learners’ motivation or stimulation of interest and
curiosity in the activity should be considered. This can
be addressed by:
(a) introducing the activity with an interesting puzzle
or question;
(b) showing how the activity relates to the learners’
world and experience; or
(c) discussing practical issues at the interface of
science and society.
PRACTICAL WORK APPROACH

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Framework for
Implementing
Practical Work
Approach

29. Level Level of Implementation
1
• Teacher uses classroom demonstration to
help develop concepts.
• Teacher uses specimens found in the local
environment.
2
• Teacher uses demonstration to promote a
limited form of inquiry
• Some learners assist in planning and
performing demonstrations.
• Learners participate in strictly supervised
procedure
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30. Level Level of Implementation
2
• Learners communicate data using graphs
and tables
• Teacher designs practical work to
facilitate learners’ discovery of
information
3
• Learners perform “guided discovery” type
of hands-on activities in small groups.
• Learners write scientific reports that
support and justify their conclusions
based on data collected.
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31. Level Level of Implementation
4
• Learners design and perform
their own “open” investigation
• Learners reflect on the quality of
data collected
• Learners interpret data in
support of their investigation
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Advantages of
Practical Work
Approach

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 Practical work promotes experiential
learning.
 Practical work encourages self-
learning.
 Student involvement and participation
is heightened.
Advantages of Practical Work
Approach

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 Practical work complements theory.
 Practical assignments are often carried out in
groups. Group work helps to inculcate social
values and values like sharing, cooperation,
team spirit, compassion etc.
 Practical work makes students independent
and increases their confidence.
Advantages of Practical Work
Approach

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Disadvantages
of Practical
Work Approach

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 It requires more time and resources for the
teacher to prepare.
 Some materials may not be readily
available.
 The focus may deviate from the concept to
merely learning how to use the materials.
 It requires more time in instruction and
exploration.
Disadvantages of Practical Work
Approach

37. Thanks for listening!
Any questions?
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