Exit Slip #7 - Failure is an option & Stereotyping

We've all heard the common phrase "failure is not an option", but what if it was? Often times students are so afraid of failure that they don't see how it can be used as a tool to get to the next step. Tying back into the discussion of feedback and grades, math provides an excellent opportunity for students to grow as learners, to assess different types of feedback and improve moving forward. Failure shouldn't be seen as a punishment, but as an opportunity, and it's our jobs as teachers to communicate that. This interest and growth has to start with the teacher, as mentioned in the video, teachers are the ones who have to show the student that they're rooting for them to succeed and continue to progress throughout the course. Communication and building trusting relationships is a huge part to get kids involved and engaged with the material; have an interest in how they learn and tailor lessons to engage students who struggle with just taking notes. Like Vanessa said, you don't just learn from staring at notes, you have to engage with the material and do the right questions and practice! 

As an Asian who pursued a math degree in post-secondary, I got a lot of "that makes sense, you must be really good at math" from people I had just met; solely basing my career choice on my ethnicity. These kinds of stereotypes can be dangerous for younger students, as it sets an expectation that may not be realistic for their levels. When we stereotype, we add pressure to perform or do well, to meet these expectations, and that isn't fair for students still trying to find out who they are and what they like. 

There have been steps in the right direction though. I remember when I was helping out at an elementary school, we had a visit from a UBC club: Women in Engineering, who came to promote the ideas of engineering to all students, but focused on encouraging women to not be afraid to be interested because it's a male-dominated industry. These kinds of clubs are great for young learners, as it gives them people to look up to and a new career path to consider / not be afraid of trying.