The importance of teaching thinking to mathematics students
The importance of teaching thinking to mathematics students
Assist Prof. Qasim Hussein Allawi - Department of Mathematics
As a result of the changes that occurred thanks to technology and social aspirations that accelerated this change, and one of the dimensions of these great changes is what was rumored about the (information explosion), which resulted in the increasing diversity and multiplicity of sources of knowledge so that the individual can only control a small part of it, so there is An increasing interest in directing efforts towards the development and development of thinking as a basic tool for knowledge. The goal of the educational process is no longer limited to providing students with knowledge and facts in circulation, but rather to develop their thinking abilities and give them the ability to deal well with the increasing and accelerating information day after day.
Nowadays, we see the phenomenon of weak use of thinking in most people and what affects most of this is on mathematics students, everyone thinks in an old stereotyped way if any, and the need has become urgent to get out of this pattern of thinking, and try to acquire advanced skills in thinking. And for the necessity and importance of teaching thinking, educators have raised voices globally, and they have called for the need to teach thinking to students, for example, the state of Venezuela teaches thinking to its students, as well as many schools in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and others.
As mention above it is clear that the approval of teaching thinking in schools, and its inclusion in the list of school subjects is an indispensable educational necessity, and it is inescapable if we want to build a conscious thinking generation and keep pace with the developments of the modern era. There are many reasons why educational institutions should take care of providing opportunities to develop students’ thinking skills in an organized and purposeful manner.
Among these reasons:
1 - Thinking is a vital necessity for faith and the discovery of the laws of life.
2 - Skillful thinking does not grow automatically, but requires structured, purposeful education and continuous practice. This type of thinking can only be achieved through exercise, natural ability, and sufficient thinking.
3 - Teaching thinking improves students' level of achievement and gives them a sense of conscious control over their thinking.
4 - Thinking is a renewable force for the survival of the individual and society together in the world of today and tomorrow. The safe, student-centered classroom environment is a quality education that provides opportunities for interaction and participation and provides the learner with the opportunity to think; Because teaching thinking skills and teaching for thinking raise the degree of excitement and attraction to classroom experiences, and make the student’s role positive and effective.
5 - The student’s ability to coexist is a basic and important reason for teaching thinking in schools, in order to keep pace with the new situations that the student is exposed to, and to teach him how to answer various questions according to their different ideas. Its impact on success.