Developing High Tasks
Changing a classroom over from Low Cognitive Demand tasks to High Demand Tasks can be difficult. The following illustrates how to change a task base on the previous sorting of tasks.
For this example we are using Task K which looked like the following originally:
Solve 38+__=81
Clearly this task is a simple algorithm that requires little cognitive activity. In order to create the problem into a High Demand task, the thinking needs to be deepened for the child to express their understanding of mathematical concepts. This task may look like the following as a high level cognitive demand task.
Sally is planning a party where she wants to serve cookies. Sally originally bought 38 cookies but inviting more people she went back to the bakery to buy more. She ended up having 81 cookies. How many cookies did Sally buy at the bakery the second time? Use a manipulative to solve this problem. After solving the problem, get with a partner to explain how you both solved the problem.
Additionally, just because the task is now a high level cognitive demand does not mean that it will be carried out in this way. Below are some factors associated with maintaining high level cognitive demand tasks, as well as factors associated with the decline of high level cognitive demand of tasks. For more information on this refer to the Mathematical Tasks Framework page.
For this example we are using Task K which looked like the following originally:
Solve 38+__=81
Clearly this task is a simple algorithm that requires little cognitive activity. In order to create the problem into a High Demand task, the thinking needs to be deepened for the child to express their understanding of mathematical concepts. This task may look like the following as a high level cognitive demand task.
Sally is planning a party where she wants to serve cookies. Sally originally bought 38 cookies but inviting more people she went back to the bakery to buy more. She ended up having 81 cookies. How many cookies did Sally buy at the bakery the second time? Use a manipulative to solve this problem. After solving the problem, get with a partner to explain how you both solved the problem.
Additionally, just because the task is now a high level cognitive demand does not mean that it will be carried out in this way. Below are some factors associated with maintaining high level cognitive demand tasks, as well as factors associated with the decline of high level cognitive demand of tasks. For more information on this refer to the Mathematical Tasks Framework page.