Investigation math

First I found out what investigation math is. Investigation math is when teachers present various concepts of math and the children experiment and discover which ones they like the best. It is not the standard, direct way of teaching math. The standard concepts alone are not taught but different kinds of strategies. Students solve solve problems using strategies they discover on their own and working in groups.
This new way of teaching math was tried in the Alpine school district and the math results actually did go up!
Some critics of this new method argue that under the investigation approach nobody gets pushed. It requires large amounts of time for the students to discover what will finally work. They are not shown the correct method. They have to try and figure it out on their own. And the best way to learn math is through repetition and practice which comes most effectivly through teaching the standard math methods. Some parents also arque that funds that would go to implementing this new way of teaching should go to the teachers and students.
I thought it was interesting that with input from parents, the principals of the Alpine school district will decide which method they would like to be taught in their school. So different schools will be teaching different methods. There will no longer be one standard.
I personally think both should be implemented into the classroom if possible. I wish that I wouldn't have been taught math through direct instruction only. I think it is wonderful for students to have the opportunity to work in groups more with math.