Conceptual approach to mathematics

See also: practice-approach-to-mathematics, teaching-mathematics

Boaler (2015)

an approach in which students were shown the complexity of mathematics and expected to think conceptually at all times, choosing, using, and applying methods.

Which she argues is better for development of a mathematical-mindset

Comparison with practice-approach-to-mathematics

Research findings when comparing

The students who were taught to practice methods over and over in a disciplined school in which there were high levels of “time on task” scored at significantly lower levels on the national mathematics examination than students who practiced much less but were encouraged to think conceptually. One significant problem the students from the traditional school faced in the national examination—a set of procedural questions—was that they did not know which method to choose to answer questions. They had practiced methods over and over but had never been asked to consider a situation and choose a method. (Boaler, 2015, p. 45)

References

Boaler, J. (2015). Creating Mathematical Mindsets: The Importance of Flexibility with Numbers. In Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students' Potential Through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching (pp. 33--56). John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.