About faults Most faults occuring in mathematical problem solving are systematic in nature, i.e. they arise due to a particular ("systematic") misunderstanding. Such misunderstandings may often be identified and corrected. An early reckognition of this type of faults by the teacher may considerably push forward the students' success. Some of the units of maths online (in particular the interactive tests) pursue precisely this goal. Of course, sometimes the underlying misunderstanding is not as clear as in the example chosen here. However, it shall illustrate one key issue: "Faults" may arise when the interrelations between mathematical ideas, symbols and procedures proceed along their own way. Establishing such interrelations is in principle a good thing to do - at least, mathematics not only deals with computations, but also with "structures" and "patterns". It's just that sometimes corrections are appropriate - pretty much like in every day life which requires the identification of misunderstandings from time to time. Back |