I found the reading from chapters 2 and 3 of “Thinking Mathematically” to be quite interesting. I agree with the argument that too often in mathematics, students are more focused on getting the “right” answer and this often is the their drive behind solving a problem as opposed to truly understanding and reflecting on a problem before answering it. I think this relates back to the discussion we had in class earlier in the term regarding relational versus instrumental understanding of mathematics. Do we want students to just be able to come up with the correct answers or do we want them to be able to understand the fundamentals behind the question they’re solving? I’m sure if you were to ask me when I was in high school, I would’ve thought reflecting on math problems was not only crazy but also a waste of time because the goal for me at that time would be to just come up with a (correct) answer; however, after completing my degree and now as a teacher candidate, I recognize the importance in getting students to think instead of simply just solve mathematical problems and I hope this will be something I am able to show my high school students through my teaching.
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