I get why they did that. I’ve seen students go through the steps in the algorithm correctly and end up with the right answer, but without any clue what it meant. The answer sentence tells the teacher that the student understood why they applied the algorithm and what the answer meant.
100% this. I can’t tell you how only now, as a middle aged man, do I qualitative understand concepts like continuity and conventions like the complex number plane. No one thought it was important to explain, took the time to do so, or helped me develop the clarity of thought to really understand it.
Getting the right answers is radically different from understanding a concept.
My calculus teacher made us write our answers in complete sentences. I regret not putting bees in his car.
I get why they did that. I’ve seen students go through the steps in the algorithm correctly and end up with the right answer, but without any clue what it meant. The answer sentence tells the teacher that the student understood why they applied the algorithm and what the answer meant.
100% this. I can’t tell you how only now, as a middle aged man, do I qualitative understand concepts like continuity and conventions like the complex number plane. No one thought it was important to explain, took the time to do so, or helped me develop the clarity of thought to really understand it.
Getting the right answers is radically different from understanding a concept.