I agree with the authors and their views on the lag in the
development of mathematics. The authors
noted difficulty with the concepts of mathematics due to delays in language,
development, lack of exposure to life-based problem-solving, and inadequate
pre-service teacher preparation in this area.
I agree that the difficulty is a direct result of the delay in language
development. Students who are deaf or
hard of hearing have trouble understanding language in general. The language
used in mathematics is even more complex and brand new to these students. There
will obviously be a delay in learning the terminology involved in math because
the students have to not only learn all of the different names for things but
also apply them in order to solve a problem.
I can also see how lack of exposure to life-based problem solving is a
cause for the lag in development.
Students, who are deaf or hard of hearing, often miss incidental
learning opportunities. They cannot always
over hear their teachers, peers, or parents working out a solution to their problems. This can also be because these students are
often given the solution rather than having them try to work it out on their
own first.
Finally, the authors mentioned
inadequate teacher preparation. I would
like to disagree with the authors on this one, however I believe this could be
true. I think it depends on the teacher,
however I know math is changing rapidly.
The way math is taught now is not how I learned it. I know if I were to go into a classroom right
now and had to teach math the way it is required now, I would not be able to do
it unless I took the time to learn the new methods. I think teachers need to be aware of what
level of math they need to be at in order to successfully teach their
students.
I agree with the statements you made regarding the mathematics delay for children with a hearing loss. As you mentioned, children with a hearing loss already have a language delay, so it is not surprising to think that the children would have difficulty with the terminology of mathematics. Also I agree that the difficulty with mathematics could be from inadequate teachers. Although I definitely agree that it depends on the teacher. A teacher who is passionate about teaching the children will do what he/she can to help the students be successful with math, no matter the issue. Unfortunately, their will always be teacher who do not hold their students to high standards, which can effect the success of the students in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post. I feel math is that subject that every student really struggles with through-out their school years. Taking the math course required for our program even had me struggling. I see these 'strategies' they want us to use and I feel like there's no way especially the DHH students. As an educator, I never want to set the student up for failure. If our students are struggling with the language they need to be taught the simplest way to solve the math problem. I believe as long as they got the correct answer and can tell you how they found that answer that's all that matters.
ReplyDelete