This assignment has two parts. You will record and upload a 5-8 minute video or audio excerpt of a mathematical interview (from a student you work with, or a coworker/family member). Then, you will write a reflection on what you noticed during the interview.
The following assets might help you refresh your understanding of this material:
Record and Upload a Mathematical Interview
Choose a participant to interview. This interview will be brief. You will need to record the audio or video of the 5-8 minute interview and take notes on the way that the participant answers the questions. The goal is to understand their thought process. Clarify that the interview isnt about getting a correct answer, but rather about understanding how the answer is approached. Be sure to use precise mathematical language throughout your conversations and explanations.
A. Tell the participant: “This isn’t a testI’m interested in how you think about numbers and solve problems. I’m going to give you a few math problems to solve. As you work on the problems, I would like you to talk aloud about your thought processstep by stepso I can understand your thinking.”
B. Select any 2-3 of the problems that are appropriate for the age group of the individuals you are interviewing:
| Questions | |
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1 |
What value of t will make the following number sentence true? (Adapted from Knuth et al.,2008) |
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2 |
What value of v will make the following number sentence true? 4(2v 2) = (4v 4) |
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3 |
What number goes in the ? 14 + 6 = + 11 47 = + 25 8 = 16 25 4 + 9 = 6 |
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4 |
Is the number that goes in the the same number in the following two equations? Explain your reasoning. (Adapted from Knuth et al.,2008) 2 x + 11 = 50 | 2 x + 11 8 = 50 – 8 |
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5 |
In the equation + 13 = 24, the number that goes in the is 11. Can you use this fact to help you figure out what number goes in the in the equation: + 13 + 32 = 24 + 32. Compare this answer with the one that would complete the blank in the following equation: + 13 + 32 = 24 32. |
C. Upload your 5-8 minute audio or video recording of the interview.
Disclaimer: Due to varying protocols and legal requirements set by school districts, it is crucial to handle student visuals, including visuals and pictures, with care. This includes ensuring the de-identification of all associated artifacts, such as assessments, tasks, and assignments. We urge you to adhere to your district’s and/or school’s guidelines regarding the release of videos and pictures. Additionally, please remember to remove students’ names from any work submitted as part of your assignments.
Assignment Alternative: If you do not have media release authorization from your district, schools, or parents/guardians, you may choose to audio record or film a coworker or family member for demonstration purposes.
2. Write a Reflection
Submit a written reflection that gives your instructor an idea of the strategies used during the interview and addresses the following prompts. Be sure to use precise mathematical language throughout your explanations. Your written response should be between 300 and 500 words.
- Describe at least two problem-solving strategies the participant used to solve the problems, including tools or representations used in the conversation.
- Based on your interactions during the audio/video clip, what do you know about the students mathematical understanding of the content?
- Based on their current understanding, what would you want them to know next to progress their thinking forward?
- Explain which instructional strategy you would use to progress their thinking forward.
The video link is uploaded above, and you would just need to complete the reflection.