Adapting K-8 Mathematics Curricular Materials for Pre-Service
Teacher Education
Principal Investigator: Donna Diaz
Fundamental to this project is the development
of a framework for pre-service teachers to enable them to construct a
meaningful understanding of the impact of curriculum on teaching and
learning. In addition, research is being conducted by the project team to
determine if the participation of pre-service teachers in a particular
research initiative (with a focus on the algebra strand) improves their
content and pedagogical knowledge. The research being conducted by the
pre-service teachers in this project includes a cycle of curriculum
investigation, experiencing (as learners) lessons adapted from the
materials, and observing (as future teachers) classroom teachers and
students experiencing the lessons. Particular research initiatives for
which the pre-service teachers are engaged involve adapting and modifying
standards based K-8 student curriculum materials originally designed to be
used to support teaching of K-8 in-service teachers. Adaptive tasks and
instrumentation are being developed by the project leaders, and students
use these as the basis for their curriculum investigation. An assessment
instrument NSF-MSP #0335411 is being adapted to assess student
(pre-service teacher) learning. The intellectual merit related to this
project is substantial. Pre-service teachers are conducting research on
the impact of curriculum on teaching and learning, and the project team,
in turn, is conducting and evaluating research on the effects the
students' (pre-service teachers') research projects have on their content
and pedagogical knowledge. Among the broader impacts of the project is the
development of a research informed model for K-12 teacher preparation
programs in mathematics as well as other disciplines.
Making Mathematics Accessible to All
Principal Investigator: Donna Diaz
Goal/Strategy:
The goal of this project addresses: ARC primary Goal 2-"Strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to
compete in the global economy."
Strategic Objective 2.3-"Increase access to quality child care and early childhood education."
Strategy 1-"Support efforts to initiate and expand early childhood education programs."
The overall purpose of the project Making Mathematics Accessible to
All is to strengthen Appalachia's economic competitiveness by
providing students with mathematical opportunities that show evidence of
closing educational achievement gaps among diverse groups of students and
improving the mathematical achievement of all students. By providing young
students with mathematical experiences that enable them to develop
confidence in their ability to learn and think mathematically, this
project will prepare students for participation in higher level
mathematics courses in middle and high school, thus making the possibility
of higher education more accessible, and the probability of success more
likely.
Author:
Calvin
L. Williams,
Mathematical Sciences-Clemson
University,
Clemson University
Last updated:
November 5, 2008
Send Comments to :
calvinw@ces.clemson.edu