The National Science Foundation (Welch, 1978, p. 6) found the following classroom scenario when observing mathematics classrooms as part of a case study:
"In all math classes that I visited, the sequence of activities was the same. First, answers were given for the previous day's assignment. The more difficult problems were worked on by the teacher or the students at the chalkboard. A brief explanation, sometimes none at all, was given of the new material, and the problems assigned for the next day. The remainder of the class was devoted to working on homework while the teacher moved around the room answering questions. The most noticeable thing about math classes was the repetition of this routine."
References