tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716261476462872558.post1846748714463757064..comments2022-04-09T21:41:57.806-07:00Comments on Dakota's Math Blog: Levels of Understanding: Relational Vs. InstrumentalDakota Dosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04427586556308307023noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716261476462872558.post-65671201135362125282015-04-05T17:44:57.970-07:002015-04-05T17:44:57.970-07:00I really liked your case for instrumental understa...I really liked your case for instrumental understanding. I was completely on the side of teaching mostly relational understanding until I read your post. And now I think we should teach both. At least give students a chance to develop a relational understanding the first time a new topic is covered, and then show them the rule so they can gain some instrumental understanding. Since everyone learns differently maybe some students need to learn the instrumental first because they can grasp the relational understanding. As you put it, guide them with questions so they can use their instrumental understanding to discover the relational understanding on their own time. ramseybrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05868236153574247931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716261476462872558.post-58829095436673442552015-02-15T15:39:16.838-08:002015-02-15T15:39:16.838-08:00Nice self-debate that works through important exam...Nice self-debate that works through important examples and interpretation. 5Cs +<br /><br />As you move on, It might be good to consider what does this balance look for. The difficulty in mixing, is that one seems familiar to students and the other less so, so they focus on the familiar. Starting from scratch it might be different. There have been some studies that show the difficulty of getting at relational understanding in areas where students have instrumental understanding. On the other hand - I see you guys do that all the time!John Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18212162438307044259noreply@blogger.com