University of Notre Dame Professor of Psychology Nicole McNeil recently co-authored a report that examines the best way for children to learn arithmetic 鈥� whether that鈥檚 by memorizing number values and multiplication tables, or by studying math at a deeper, conceptual level.听
The report,听 听was published in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest and听shows that children learn most effectively when instruction follows an evidence鈥慴ased cycle: grounding facts in conceptual understanding, using brief timed practice to make those facts automatic, and then returning to discussion and reflection to deepen that knowledge.
McNeil, a fellow with the , researches cognitive development, with a primary focus on how children think, learn, communicate and solve problems in mathematics.
In , she discussed the report that deepened understanding of how arithmetic fluency develops, why it matters and how educators can help students achieve it.听
鈥淲e want to be clear: Educators don鈥檛 have to choose between timed practice and rich classroom discussions,鈥� McNeil said in the interview. 鈥淎 carefully structured approach 鈥� pairing brief, timed sessions that strengthen facts in memory with purposeful reasoning and discussion activities that weave those facts into an integrated knowledge network 鈥� gives students the fluency they need to succeed.鈥�
Media contact: Carrie Gates, associate director of media relations,听c.gates@nd.edu, 574-631-4313
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