Different Problem, Same Answer, a talk by Dr John Burke (Manchester Grammar School for Boys)
Annual Student Teacher Lecture
Abstract
A selection of problem solving resources, suitable for Years 7 to 13, will be presented. What makes these resources different is that pupils sitting side by side will have different numbers to work with, yet the answer will be the same (although they don’t know that). This limits the possibility of weaker pupils just copying off the stronger ones. They can copy the method, of course, but that is not such a bad thing. The teacher will also be pleased to know that there is only one answer. How can all the answers be the same? Some pupils will hopefully ask that question and set about answering it. Thus they will delve into doing proofs – voluntarily.
Attendees will be expected to work on some of the tasks. An example is shown.
Each problem has a worked solution (in Microsoft PowerPoint) that can be presented to the class and the worksheets are in Adobe Acrobat pdf format. The resources, which number over 75, will be made available to all attendees at no charge.
About the Speaker
John Burke has been teaching at Manchester Grammar School for the past eight years. Prior to that he worked for IBM for 25 years before enrolling on the PGCE course at the University of Manchester in 2010. His degree is in Civil Engineering from Loughborough University of Technology, where he stayed on to pursue a PhD in Finite Element analysis in the same faculty.
Open to all and especially to mathematics teachers and teachers in training.
No charge is made to attend meetings. Non-IMA members are welcome.
For further information please contact either Margaret Eastwood or Jo Kennedy.
