5 Math Burning Questions

1. Why do you think we learn math in school, and why do you think math is an important or unimportant subject?
2. For students: When learning a new material, do you tend to memorize the steps in solving a problem or do you try to understand the meaning and idea under each steps? and why do you do so? For teachers: When teaching a new material, do you just work through a problem and showing all the steps in solving a problem or do you explain or try to explain the idea in each of the steps involved in solving a problem? and why do you do so?
3. What do you think of TPS (Think-Pair-Share) techniques where students break into groups of 2 to discuss the material before the class discusses it as a whole? How about groups of 5 students?
4. Administering tests can be an effective tool in determining class proficiency before moving on to new material. How frequently do you believe tests should be administered?
5. What are your views on traditional class lecturing versus a system where students could work at their own pace and each individual could spend extra time on material they found difficult?