Why Is Repetition In Math Necessary?
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The last couple of decades have been witness to a shift in approach to teaching Mathematics. Both at the primary and secondary levels, more emphasis has been placed on “working outside the square”, where students spend more time solving what are called real-life problems and less time if any at all doing repetitive skill building exercises. At the same time the amount of text in the textbooks has increased, providing students with more interpretation questions rather than repetitive exercises.
We can only assume that this change was an attempt to improve numeracy outcomes, but that effect has not been noticeable. Indeed, standards of mathematics in the student population continue to decline across the US and Australia which indicates that perhaps this is not the approach we need. What is wrong with this approach is that it assumes students have a base of mathematical skill that they need for these application questions. It is not reasonable to assume a student can work out how much fencing farmer Brown will need for his paddock if the student can neither work out perimeter nor competently add.
Building basic skills through repetitive drill work does not guarantee that a student will be able to competently solve application questions. But this does allow for the possibility of doing so competently and accurately. To attempt to solve abstract problems in math without having a solid skill base is as futile as building a house on sand.
This situation can be compared to physical training. One can understand the benefits of being able to build muscle through exercise, but unless you do this you will fail when it comes to the application task of weight lifting. Math works the same way. Repetition of basic skills builds the skill so that it becomes a reflex. When a skill is a reflex it can be applied to other situations. Possessing the skill does not guarantee success in the application, but it does allow for that success.
The importance of repetition in math needs to be reconsidered for primary and lower secondary students. Without a firm base of skills students will always struggle in math, regardless of how entertaining it is made or how many computers they are provided with.
Bringing back repetitive skill building as a regular part of math classroom work is essential if we are serious about the issue of improving numeracy in students. It is true that it does not look glamorous, and that having rows of kids silently toiling away does not look like a new initiative that will win votes, but it is necessary none the less.
Find plenty of teaching tips and free resources in the Math Help section of Roger Vanderlely’s website. There’s plenty of information on solar power, including tips for finding cheap solar panels for your home.
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