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Science and Mathematics Education Commons

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Mathematics

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Cognitive dissonance

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Jay Leno And Abstract Algebra, Adam Glesser, Martin Bonsangue Jan 2016

Jay Leno And Abstract Algebra, Adam Glesser, Martin Bonsangue

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

The Jay Leno skit Jaywalking, showing ordinary people struggling to answer basic questions, is both entertaining and applicable to teaching. This article describes how an instructor can strengthen students' conceptual understanding by creating an element of confusion, or "cognitive dissonance," in the students' minds using Jaywalking-style interactions in the classroom.