Using Blogs to... Check for Understanding & Surface Misconceptions

Activity blogs by Teacher Participants

  1. Measurement: Volume [2007: Goh Shwu Jun, Chong Boon Secondary]
  2. Rectangle versus Square [2007: Annabel Ho, Pasir Ris Secondary]
  3. Algebra Rocks my Socks [2007: Gloria Teng, Nanyang Girls' High]
  4. Volume Problem 1 [2007: Annabel Ho, Pasir Ris Secondary]
  5. Vectors: Are you in the Right Direction? [2007: Tan Hoi Hoon, Clementi Woods Secondary]
  6. Ellipse and Hyperbola [2007: Loke Seng Liat, Tampines Junior College]
  7. I am not Square [2008: Rashima, Beatty Secondary]
  8. Factorise Me! [2008: Rashima, Beatty Secondary]
  9. Can you spot the different Transformations? [2008: Eric Chong, Si Ling Secondary]
  10. Activity 1 - Interpreting and Analysing Pie Chart [2008: Khariaty Bte Ja'afar, Damai Primary]
  11. Geometry [2008: Tang Guan Eng Jennifier, Damai Primary]
  12. Fractions 1 [2008: Ho Ai Hwa, Elias Park Primary]
Examples from ETD Workshops

  1. Do we know these Shapes?
  2. Symmetry: Mirror Me
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With appropriate triggers "embedded" within short questions, pupils' responses could help teacher to surface misconceptions that need to be clarified.

  • In the example of "Do we know these Shapes?", pupils were asked how many of each shape - Rhombus, Triangle and Circles - that they could find in the picture.
  • At the end of the session, varied answers received from the class which showed that pupils did not have a clear idea on the properties of the shapes.
  • Some differences surfaced includes, Are the 'triangle' look-alike shapes triangles? Some pupils may argue that, having part of the circle made up one side of the figure will mean the triangle look-alike figure has 2 straight sides only.

  • Teacher can tap on the 'differences' surfaced among answers and get pupils to explain/justify their answers and invite responses from others, hence making the discussion richer. Active discussion helps pupils to clarify and correct the misconceptions, hence remember the facts/concepts better.

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