The second annual TEAM-Math Conference on the Mathematical Education of Teachers was hosted by Tuskegee University at the Kellogg Conference Center over two days in August of 2005. Building on the tremendous success of the 2004 conference, the 2005 conference again attracted a slate of very accomplished speakers: Dr. James Fey, Dr. James Hamos, and Dr. Judith Sowder. Dr. Fey, Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Maryland, is also the director of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Mathematics Teaching a Learning and served as principle investigator in the Connected Mathematics and Core-Plus Mathematics projects. Dr. Hamos, who was trained as a neuroscientist, currently works as Program Director of the National Science Foundation's Math and Science Partnership Program. Dr. Sowder, Professor Emerita of Mathematics and Statistics at San Diego State University, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in 2000.
As TEAM-Math works to improve the teaching of mathematics in East Alabama through professional development for current teachers, efforts are also being made to change the way prospective teachers are trained during their college years. This includes revising the mathematics content courses mathematics education majors take. A course in Abstract Algebra is a standard requirement for secondary mathematics education majors, but students have a difficult time connecting their experiences in the course to the classes they teach. Dr. Fey discussed a course in Algebraic Structures that he and his colleges developed to teach Abstract Algebra using the investigative approach advocated by TEAM-Math and NCTM while maintaining the mathematical rigor required by university mathematics departments.
The example course he described can be a model for TEAM-Math as we work to create mathematics content courses for educators at Auburn and Tuskegee, there were also elements of his presentation that were applicable to all teachers in attendance. Dr. Fey modelled, for example, how changing a question from "prove this" to "is this true? Prove or disprove" greatly increased the mathematical engagement of the students in the class.
While TEAM-Math is focusing on improving East Alabama Mathematics, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is working to improve math and science education across the country. One of the ways they are working to achieve this goal is through the establishment of Math and Science Partnerships (MSP's) including TEAM-Math, which involves the engagement of higher education faculty in K-12 education. Dr. Hamos, from NSF, discussed why it is important to include mathematicians, scientists, and engineers in the education reform effort, the need to do more than simply provide service to the community, and the need for change within higher education to support faculty who significantly connect with K-12 teachers. Dr. Hamos also was able to show how the efforts of TEAM-Math fit into the overall efforts of NSF to better the math and science education of all students.
The address by Dr. Sowder dealt with the preparation of elementary teachers. Dr. Sowder focused on fractions and word problems, two topics found to cause the most difficulty in the elementary curriculum, and the ways in which teachers can become more confident in their teaching of these topics if their preparation gives them new ways of thinking and reasoning. Dr. Sowder demonstrated some tasks that lead to these ways of thinking and also showed video clips of teachers and students demonstrating (and not demonstrating) appropriate levels or reasoning.
Throughout the conference, attendees were able to sit in on panel discussions geared toward the level they were teaching and see demonstrations of exemplary teaching practices including problem solving and using manipulatives. There was also an opportunity to tour the George Washington Carver Museum on the campus of Tuskegee University. |
