Strategies of Teaching Mathematics: Group work, Self study, Supervised study & Brainstorming

1. Strategies of Teaching
Mathematics:
Group work, Self Study, Supervised
study & Brainstorming
Dr. G. Jaganmohana Rao
Faculty of Education
MITE, Kohima

2. Introduction:
There are some strategies of teaching Mathematics like Drill-work,
Home-work, Oral-work, Written-work, Group-work, Self Study,
Brainstorming etc. Which help the learner in constructing their
knowledge.
The purpose of these strategies is to make teaching- learning
more interactive as well as effective. You can select a particular strategy
based on the needs of learners as well as its relevance to the content.
Some strategies of teaching learning Mathematics are as follows:

3. Group work:
It is one of the most important techniques of teaching mathematics. In this technique, large
class or group is divided into a smaller group according to the abilities and interests of the
students. Thus, the group becomes smaller and so greater attention can be paid to be
individual students.
Importance of Group work:
• The group must be in accordance to the level of intelligence and achievement of students.
Hence group should be homogeneous.
• In this technique of teaching complex task break into parts and steps.
• Group work helps to improve understanding through discussion and explanation.
• It makes competitive cooperation amongst group member.
• A mathematics teacher may employ this technique for collection of some mathematical
data.
Disadvantages of Group work:
 While working in a group, there is no place for individual or independent thinking.
 In group work Decision making takes time.
 In group work, it is very easy for the person to avoid work and leave it to others to
complete.

4. Self-study:
In self-study, individual studies and learns by himself. Here the student
attempts and solves every problem without the help of any other person.
Importance of Self study:
 In this technique of teaching mathematics child work or studies
independently.
 It develops the problem-solving attitude in the student.
 It the best way to utilize leisure time.
 It develops the interest of the students in the subject.
 Self-study widens the mental ability of the student.
Disadvantages of Self study:
• This technique is time-consuming.
• Understanding the study many be difficult without a mentor.
• In self-study, there is no certainty you are studying the right thing.

5. Supervised study:
Supervised study is the study of assigned work by the students in the
presence and under the direct supervision of the teacher. This technique
is based on the principle of activity and individual differences.
Importance of Supervised study:
• The supervised study creates a studious atmosphere for the self-study
of the student.
• The teacher presence makes the atmosphere more disciplined and
congenial for hard work.
• It diminishes the burden of homework on the students.
Disadvantages of Supervised study:
 This technique of teaching mathematics has overburdened the teacher
and demands more time and attention from the teacher.
 In this technique over guidance may be interference in the free thinking
and working of the students.

6. Brainstorming:
Brainstorming is a method for generating ideas to solve a design problem.
It usually involves a group, under the direction of a facilitator. The strength of
brainstorming is the potential participants have in drawing associations between
their ideas in a free-thinking environment, thereby broadening the solution space.
Classic brainstorming was invented by Alex Osborn in 1938. It is a group
idea generation method which works best for groups of three to nine members.
You get better with practice.
Brainstorming in education:
• In the field of education brainstorming is a large or small group of activities that
encourage the student to focus on a topic and contribute to the free flow of
ideas. In this process
• Teacher begins the session by posing a question, problem or by introducing a
topic.
• The student then expresses possible answers, relevant words, and ideas.
• The contribution is accepted without criticism or judgment and is then
summarized on a white board by the teacher.
• These ideas are examined, usually in an open class discussion format.

7. Purpose of Brainstorming:
• To focus student attention on a particular topic.
• To generate particular ideas.
• To teach acceptance and respect for individual differences.
• To encourage the learner to take a risk in sharing their ideas and
opinions.
• To demonstrate to the student that their knowledge and abilities are
valued and accepted.
• To provide an opportunity for students to share ideas and expand their
knowledge by building on each other’s
Characteristic of Brainstorming:
 It is an intellectual activity.
 Maximum or all students can participate.
 Each student gives their personal view/ideas.
 Each idea is neither right nor wrong.
 It involves divergent thinking.

8. Thanking You…