My Thoughts on YouCubed

Hi there!

Here are my thoughts on the YouCubed project!

As a future educator of the 21st century, YouCubed is an exceptional resource to have at hand. Created and launched by math specialist Jo Boaler, the YouCubed project is the new movement to revolutionize math teaching and learning. In her 01:26 video introducing YouCubed, Boaler shares her intentions and main purpose for YouCubed - that being, to use her research and knowledge with regards to what excites children, what helps them learn, and what gets kids excited about mathematics to supply educators with exciting and innovative ways of teaching primary and elementary mathematics. As a current university student studying and learning how to be a teacher of mathematics, I was immediately intrigued after viewing this video and hearing Boaler's mission - to transform the beliefs that students form about math and their own potential with math.

On first glance and scroll-through, I was primarily impressed by the organization of the website. Boaler has organized the website into four main sections: 1) big ideas, 2) content and tasks, 3) math and innovation, and 4) tools for parents. After viewing each section independently, I feel in favor and supportive of the YouCubed project as I was able to better see and understand its high potential for students and parents as well as both current and future educators.

Under "big ideas," Boaler includes a link to her article titled "Unlocking Children's Math Potential: 5 Research Results to Transform Math Learning." I found this article particularly interesting. In this article, Boaler acknowledges what she refers to as "the huge elephant standing in most math classrooms" - the idea that only some students can do well in math. Her paper summarizes five recent and important areas of knowledge that have emerged from studies of the brain and learning that address this myth: 1) All students can achieve at high levels, 2) Students' ideas about their ability determine their learning pathways and math achievement, 3) Mistakes and struggle are extremely important for learning, 4) Mathematics should be disassociated from speed, and 5) Teachers messages are hugely powerful. This last point was intriguing and of most interest to me as a future educator who will someday deliver such powerful messages to my students. After reading this article, delivered and supplied by Boaler, I feel much more prepared for my future teachings and I now recognize, more than ever before, the importance of positive messages.

Under "content and tasks," math concepts are organized by elementary, middle school, and high school with links for each category.

Under "tools for parents," I was pleased to find another link to a new article written by Boaler, listing and explaining a number of highly interactive and motivating elementary math games. Although this document of games is found under "tools for parents," I found this article particularly interesting as it allowed me to gain knowledge of these games, all of which hold the potential to be included into my future teachings. Aside from providing me with some great and useful ideas, this document was also highly impressive to me as it is very well organized and includes all necessary information including how to play, what materials are required to play as well as any existing variations of the game. I feel that this document is a great resource to both educators and parents in motivating students to participate in and enjoy mathematics.

Also under "tools for parents," Boaler has again impressed me with her own document titled "Twelve Steps to Increase Your Child's Math Achievement and Make Math Fun," which can also be easily accessed through YouCubed. Although I recognize the importance of all twelve points, I was especially intrigued and surprised by numbers 1) Never praise children by telling them they are "smart," 6) Encourage drawing whenever you can, and 12) Play games. I appreciate the reminder of including the arts and playing games as other means of learning as such learning styles are not always accommodated in daily mathematics classes.

According to the website, "YouCubed will not only make math enjoyable for learners, it will allow students to see the way math will help them in their lives and work." I feel that this is extremely important as this way learning is authentic and meaningful. Although the site is not yet fully operational, Boaler ensures that the site will be filled with tasks, materials, and video ideas of engaging ways to teach multidimensional mathematics. Based on what I have seen thus far, I am a supporter of the YouCubed project. I look forward to the fully operational site and its yet-to-come customized professional development plans that include video, resources, and workshop options all designed to improve math teaching and learning. What a great resource!

Natalie