Episode 4 - Colin Foster - Problem Solving in the mathematics curriculum

This episode, we learn from Colin Foster ​​Colin is a Reader in Mathematics Education in the Mathematics Education Centre at Loughborough University. Before being an academic, he taught mathematics in schools for 12 years. His research interests focus on the learning and teaching of mathematics in ways that support students’ conceptual understanding. He is particularly interested in the design and use of rich tasks in the mathematics classroom, and in finding ways to enable students to develop the necessary fluency in mathematical processes to support them in solving mathematical problems. We dig into: What is problem solving? When are students mathematically mature enough to solve problems? Why is teaching strategies important and which strategies might be helpful? What is the importance of background knowledge in problem solving? What is Colin working on to support this strand of maths education? Thank you to my the growing hundreds who are tuning in each fortnight to listen to what my expert guests have to say. I hope you enjoy it and any feedback would be most welcome. If you like what you hear, you could leave a 5 star review on your chosen podcast platform, as well as sharing on social media This will increase the chances of as many different people hearing the words of wisdom from my guests, it would be much appreciated! Here we go… we’ve got BAGs to learn from Colin Foster...