Conceptual Understanding in Mathematics
In his blog post, Grant Wiggins explores the idea of conceptual understanding in mathematics. He quotes examples of when conceptual understanding appears in the Common Core and tries to define the term, using the work and key ideas from mathematicians, researchers, and educators. Wiggins also discusses the types of instruction that is needed to teach students about conceptual understanding.
This blog from Grant Wiggins provides a valuable resource relative to conceptual understanding in mathematics. Its organization, links to other resources, and questions and comments from participants make it both a well-organized and useful site, linking to supplemental resources and information. Although it is hard to measure its effectiveness, a profiled paper for British educators and “test for conceptual understanding” have obviously stimulated conversation that helps add to a reader’s understanding of the information being discussed by Wiggins.