Reply To: Rapid model

[Anna Kmiec]

The tradition model, which focuses on memorization or rote procedure, leaving no room for questioning and not leading purposefully to understanding. There is a focus on skills. The reform model could create opportunities for understanding but potentially leaves the student vulnerable to misconceptions, inefficient strategies and the need to integrate many ideas all at once. The RaPID model subtly leads to understanding but I also strongly felt like I was developing skills and knowledge at the same time. I could clearly ‘see’ how dividing by 5 words by connecting it it to dividing by 10. Dividing with a remainder became not a separate body of mathematical knowledge but connected to groups of 5. I was still the one building the understanding but I also had clear evidence to be able to explain why it works.