The Stanford Daily – Skylar Cohen
“New methods developed by Stanford professor of education Jo Boaler may revolutionize the learning process for students who have difficulty understanding math. In her new paper “Fluency Without Fear: Research Evidence on the Best Ways to Learn Math Facts,” Boaler emphasizes the negative effects of rote memorization. She also promotes the development of mathematical intuition and encourages engagement in the learning process. One of Boaler’s principal beliefs is that all students can succeed in math. “The brain is so flexible and adaptable that with the right teacher and the right messages anyone can achieve,” Boaler said. Boaler conducted large-scale studies in both the United Kingdom and California. The studies showed that students who actively participate in learning show significant increases in performance when compared to their peers. According to Boaler’s research, emphasizing speed in math classes is damaging to students.”(more)