Reflection: John Mason on questioning in math class

Yes, his ideas connect with inquiry-based learning in secondary school mathematics. His ideas are about questioning students in math class. In order to implement inquiry-based learning in the classroom, teachers should engage students in thinking and deal with any unexpected questions. By asking students why and what made them think that, they would be able to develop students’ thinking process. I think that as an educator, it is very important to wonder about students’ learning process and keep thinking critically as part of inquiry-based teaching about how to develop teaching perspectives to help students improve flexible thinking skills. This is because teachers should help them become independent thinkers, who do not depend on their teacher all the time; students should be the ones who question and answer their questions as inquiry-based learning.

For my long practicum, I am planning to incorporate the class activity where students might have to create a new example of the problem I introduce to them. This might help students organize their thinking process and find an alternative approach to the problem. Above all, as a math teacher, I will make sure that I challenge students to engage in learning by thinking creatively and flexibly.