Controversy in Math?!

During my class meeting last night, our moderator asked us to reflect on an issue/topic that has caused heated discussion in mathematics among mathematicians/math educators and those who are not members of those groups.

Our small group of three seemed to have very good ideas on some topics.  One member thought of multiplication and methods used among educators.  I didn't realize this would be an issue...after listening in on the discussion, that is something that I never thought about...this has triggered me to do a few searches on the subject...
http://www.virtual.net.au/~bhandley/lua2.htm
http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-teach-multiplication-a81961
and the following was shared by our moderator during the meeting: 
http://threesixty360.wordpress.com/25-ways-to-multiply/
I guess, being at the high school level, and never having taught below grade 8, this is a topic I  never thought would be so "heated".

Another group member piggy-backed off of my "topic" of testing...and its value.  She expanded on my thoughts of how/and WHY some students learn and accept, while some are resistant to mathematics.  She brought up many interesting points.  For example, as educators/professionals who attend conferences and workshop about our passion (mathematics) why do so many flock to the technology...and not the psychology of our subject...I have to admit I am guilty of such a thing...this made me reflect on the last conference I attended (AMTNJ) and I did just that.  I have been so involved in the new "21st century" classroom concept, web 2.0 and technology integration, that I feel I have drifted away from the students themselves...is this wrong? 

My topic of testing...in particular testing in mathematics, seems to be changing.  Currently, I find that my state is turning towards a new standards-based, problem-based assessment, rather than plug and chug and short-and-sweet math problems.  They seem to be including the higher-order thinking skills that are so desperately needed.  The assessments seem to be blending math topics as well as testing individual skills...it's about time!  However, this is going to require us, as educators, to start thinking outside the box..or should I say the book!

I am looking forward to reading what my "meeting mates" discover and discuss about their topics!

MathCurriculum

Ok, so I have found a new home for my blog.  Previously I had been using another site..and hadn't visited my blog in quite sometime until I joined my online course group.  You can see some of my older postings (from a few hours ago) at  http://bfash.edublogs.org/ .

After visiting many other blogs for the coursework, I discovered this seemed to be a popular place.  So I decided to make a move!  It seems that there are endless tools out there for us to utilize..how do we know which is right for us..in this case, since I hadn't contributed much to my previous "home", the move wasn't to painful!

Now, it's time to "decorate" my new home with a few thoughts, and visit some of my new "neighbors", and "follow" their every move.