Insights in number: Developing flexible mental mathematics

Authors

Len Sparrow
Paul Swan, Edith Cowan University

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Faculty

Faculty of Education and Arts

School

School of Education / Fogarty Learning Centre

RAS ID

4977

Comments

Sparrow, L., & Swan, P. (2006). Insights in number: Developing flexible mental mathematics. Annual Conference of the Mathematics Association of Victoria.

Abstract

The ability to use flexible strategies when faced with a calculation to do 'in the head' is important to acquire. Many children who rely on remembered facts and standard procedures are limited in their approaches to mental computation. Teaching that develops insights, awareness, and connections appears to give this important flexibility and enable children to make sensible and effective choices of calculating strategies.