Teaching without words | Matthew Peterson | TEDxOrangeCoast

In school, the dominant way of conveying ideas is through words. Words can be great barriers to learning. Matthew Petersen shows and explains how we can learn without words.

Matthew Peterson, Ph.D., is Co-Founder, Senior Institute Scientist, and Chief Technical Officer of the MIND Research Institute. He is the creator of MIND's Math instructional software that teaches math to students using a unique non-language-based approach. Matthew was recently featured on Discovery Channel's "Profile Series." His focus is on developing math learning environments that initially convey sophisticated concepts visually, enabling students to gain a solid conceptual understanding of mathematics regardless of language proficiency. Matthew's cutting-edge teaching methods are currently benefiting over 300,000 students. He is the author of "MIND's Algebra Readiness" textbook, adopted in California in 2008, in addition to other technical and scientific publications.

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[rachelmichels]

I think this is a good beginning for teaching math, especially those with disabilities. Start with the concrete. They are making it entirely concrete, which most classrooms fail to do. After the kids master the concrete, then words should be added. It doesn't have to be either/or. It should be a continuum of concrete to the abstract. Words are abstract.

[Sammo]

Maths without words - oh bliss - visual depiction of ALL formulas - oh bliss - it around the world.

[Sammo]

You nailed it - spread the word brother.

[prachirahate]

Love this
Love this
Love
Someone truly read and understood my mind😇

[genevachapman]

Currently designing curricula for zero to three. This is SO helpful.

[safletcher]

I'm intrigued by the idea. I totally buy into the concept that teachers spend too much time talking at the students and I like the concept of interactive, non-verbal lessons. But I have two thoughts:

1) How do I implement this if my school is relatively low tech? I will be student teaching this spring and I will have access to an overhead and honest to God chalk boards.

2) Administrators are exerting pressure on math and other depts to INCREASE the amount of reading/writing done in class.

[AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor]

WOW WOW WOW, what a brilliant concept, that's a math revolution. And that story with Omar, just mind-blowing!

[ramazkutateladze]

This man has changed the world! Just like the significant part of the dyslexics did ))) Proud to be dyslexic!

[trinityramos]

what is this magical program!!! WANT what website?

[jessicabaker]

This is an interesting concept. Teaching math without words. As much sense as it makes, I would have never thought to use games as a way to reinforce topics without words. Sometimes the words can get in the way of the mathematics. ST Math allows the words to go out the window and the students to explore through an interactive game increasing the students ability to think about the math rather than the words. The story of Omar is inspirational in proving how much of an impact a program like this can have.

[MonaChowhan]

Awesome Mr Peterson! I loved your spirit! and the penguin too ;)

[letitiasangster]

ST Math is amazing! Worth every penny!

[nimi]

I don't know dyslexia more than main idea, .. but stages n states of focus... Im pretty convinced it's that cognition difference again like W adhd

[jenniferblair-cockrum]

What is the name of this program? Is it available online or for schools to access? Would love to see this used in our schools here in Colorado.

[theresacstanley]

Visual learning is wonderful, but being an accessibility expert, this technique flies in the face of universal design. How can you teach the blind with this visual approach? They must have their visualization described in words. How do students, whose main approach is done with words, learn with this method? Curious to know how well deaf children learn with this approach, since they don't hear direction, but follow direction through the written word. Overall a very interesting approach.

[marknugent]

I worry about my son as it was a very hard road for me - continuous failure knocks the hell out of your confidence - unless a person is tenacious and has a core fundamental belief in themselves - they will never succeed - life is hard enough without going through a system that is geared up to fail a sector of our population that has produced some of our greatest minds - you want to be a good or even a great teacher - you need to find a way to enable your students to succeed - that is your job.

[UrbanDIYer]

Well, I would be considered a failure according to what you caged me into with your words - not that you meant to. But my point is that you don't need to be so worried. I pushed all my life but never had the confidence until after the Army. I was 28 when I married, had horrible grades, got outside of my normal comfort zone by deploying to Germany during the Cold War, scared out of my mind with discos blowing up. I needed a way to prove to myself I was good enough. I graduated with honors.

[GodEquals]

More animations are needed in other areas as well, and more animations of the same subject are also needed for evolution to occur.
A revolution in education is possible and it means a lot for everyone, we are what we learn.
We shall embrace new technologies, new tools that opens new possibilities.

[ShriyansGhosh]

Honestly I think this dude is very smart but I had to do St Math from 3rd grade to 5th grade and honestly I did not like it at all because the penguin is very annoying and it glitches very often. Also it has nothing to do with the academics we were doing at school and it had the same exact levels every year so I did not learn anything from ST Math. However I do agree that this is a very creative way of teaching without words so congrats to him.

[luandrade]

Good evening! Does the program for dixlexia have in Portuguese? I'm Brazilian and I was interested in this educational method!