As I was reading this quote, I began to have some recollection the process of solving problems during these few lectures. Instead, setting the children in the mode of memorizing steps without understanding the rationale behind those steps will create more complications but not making things simpler."The Essence of Mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple."
Scenario 1: Learning Fractions
All of us used this method when asked, how many halves are there in three-forth? Dr Yeap said that this is a 'communist' method!! Ha! Ha! But that's how we managed to pass our O Level - using this communist method. However, if you put some serious thought into it, it is simply illogical if students adopt this method without understanding the idea behind this step. We discussed how we can convey this concept using pictorial. With understanding the steps, it eases the tension of children and makes complicated problems simpler.
Scenario 2- Area (Picture from Dr Yeap's Blog)
We learnt the formula of Area= Length (Breath). However, it will be meaningless to children if they just remember the formula without understanding again. This activity helps children to see the realtionship between the length and breath as there are dots on it. My clever coursemates even found out the secret of counting the dots. I think that's what it meant by simplifying complicated problems.
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