My thoughts on Math Word Problems

 After learning the long history of word problem, it is my opinion that I will continue the practice of word problem in my own classroom.

Word problems have a few strengths in the class room. First, word problems allows learners to begin conceptualize the operations (algebra, arithmetic) into problem solving. Having students to think about applying what they have learned into a context based scenario allows them to gain intuition on when and where a certain skill can be used. Second, world problems are silly. I understand there are criticisms on they are not 'applicable' or 'realistic'. My approach in the classroom would be having students to design their own word problems (with a few examples), once they have entry level proficiency in the topic. This process allows them to engineer context where the topic / technique would make sense. Furthermore, I would use these word problems to formatively assess their understanding.

I understand there are a few intrinsic issues with this long history of word problems. Since its origin, the questions themselves seem to not serve the practical purpose to train learners on estimation of real life problems. The setup of these questions often contain a reasonable premise like figuring out the side length of a field. The impractical part comes from the values used or the order which a unknown quantity is measured (like already knowing the area of the top of the grain pile). Moreover, there is a level of variation from comprehensive outcome through reading. In the lectures, we used the example of the Tower of Pisa and the wording of 'landing a few meters from the tower'.

Since it is my position to defend the continuation of word problems, I would also like to tackle the two aforementioned issues. The first issue of impracticality, I mentioned that I would have the learners design their own word problems. This allows them to express themselves artistically, as well as their own understanding.To tackle the second problem, I can spend extra effort to provide some basic diagrams in some questions without hindering their path towards comprehension. Or I can add more precise wording like falling horizontally or vertically away from the base of the tower to be specific.

In conclusion, I am a defender of word problems. Despite its flaws, I believe they can be incorporated into the class room with some improvements.

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