Ping-Tung Chang teaches courses from pre-algebra to calculus at Mat-Su College. For his efforts in the mostly remedial math classes, Chang was named one of the 2009 U.S. Professors of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Yet, despite this addition to his list of prestigious awards, Chang often finds himself depressed. The native of Taiwan said the math he is teaching to college students is what other countries teach in middle school.
 ROBERT DeBERRY/Frontiersman Ping-Tung Chang, Ph.D., is a professor of mathematics at Matanuska-Susitna College. Chang is Alaska’s representative in the U.S. Professors of the Year awards program. |
Now, hoping to use his credentials as authority, Chang is trying to break this cycle by putting the student in charge of the teaching.
Chang said the old model of “teacher talk and student listen” does not work. Sometimes the students are distracted, or tired, or “wandering around Cloud 9,” he said. Instead, Chang said he has the students present problems to the class, and the class works interactively to debate, argue and ultimately find the solution.
“They have to talk. When they talk, you know they understand. When they understand, they solve the problem. When they solve the problem, they feel happy. And when they feel happy, they learn,” Chang said.
This idea has been around since 1945, Chang said, when a Hungarian mathematician created this method called problem solving. Despite the country’s panic about falling behind the Soviet Union in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the idea only began to come to light in the U.S. in the 1980s. But, Chang said, the American educational system is slow to change, and most classes are still caught in the old mindset.
Before he ever heard of problem solving, Chang had his own experience with the methodology. He was teaching at one of the biggest high schools in the country in Atlanta, Ga., in the 1970s. One day, he was horribly sick, but unable to reach his principal to schedule a substitute. Not having the energy to teach, he gave his students problems for the class to go over together. That night, he got a call from the principal to let him know how many parents called in to say what a great teacher Chang was.
As Chang learned more about the method, he still wasn’t convinced of its efficacy. He only used the student-run classes from time to time until he went to China last fall. As he was introducing the idea to Chinese teachers, he became a believer himself and now uses the method in everyone of his classes.
The method asks the students four questions, Chang said. First, you ask the students if they understand the problem and know what it means. Then, you ask them how they are going to do it and what their plan of attack is. Third, if they know how do it, ask them to solve the problem. After it is solved, ask them if they are happy with their solution or if there is anything else to be learned.
Of course, Chang said, this means the teacher still has to explain the concepts and the principles behind the problems. But the ideas are cemented if you have the students do the particular problems out loud and in front of the class.
This may sound like a nightmare to some shy students, but Chang said he works with each one to make sure they feel comfortable. Often, the shy students will go after they have observed others, or Chang will have them make the presentation to him during office hours. Chang will even work problems out with students so he knows they understand it before presenting.
“What’s fair and unfair?,” Chang asked. “You are helping them build their confidence in math.”
This method will work with any type of subject, Chang said, and he is now trying to raise awareness in Alaska. He wants teachers to call or e-mail him at 745-9727 or ptchang@matsu.alaska.edu to talk about the approach.
By using this problem solving approach, Chang said, the U.S. will right its educational woes and secure its spot as the most powerful country in the world.
Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.
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2 comment(s)MSC Students wrote on Feb 22, 2010 11:42 PM:
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