It was interesting to consider the benefits of having students be in a 'flow' state in class and what benefits that would elicit. I think the idea of being challenged and using existing skills is really important for a math classroom and a key role of the teacher - to find activities that are not too challenging but also not boring.
I have experienced a state of flow - when I am interested in completing a task I can get into a state of flow. Sometimes cooking, biking, reading or doing a Math question and I can feel very focused but enjoying my progress. I remember feeling that sometimes in Math exams - very odd I know! But if I felt well prepared, I was concentrated and just challenged enough.
I do think it is possible to achieve a state of flow in secondary math classes but students need to have some level of interest in what they are doing and feel capable of reaching the goal. This really does depend on the culture of the classroom the teacher creates and how aware the teacher is of the level the students are at and how to challenge them just enough and pique their interests. I don't know if it is possible to have all students in "flow" all at once, but hopefully creating a culture of exploration and teamwork will allow it to happen frequently! I think the 'Thinking Classroom' design is a great way to set up a classroom where students will experience 'flow'.
Hi Christine, your insights into achieving a state of flow in various activities, from cooking to math exams (I've experienced that flow too:), truly emphasize the significance of interest and challenge in maintaining focus and enjoying progress. I believe teachers play a pivotal role in discovering activities that engage us without becoming overly dull or excessively challenging. While getting everyone into 'flow' simultaneously might be challenging, fostering a culture of exploration and teamwork could make it occur more frequently!
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