Science and Mathematics Education Commons^™

Redesigning And Undergraduate Engineering Course, Elise Barrella

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

The presentation will consist of two parts: (1) description of the introductory engineering course and the experience of using a backwards design approach to create a more learner-centered and active course and (2) group discussion of simple, successful techniques for creating a more learner-centered course. The course was redesigned as part of a preparatory teaching program for graduate students.

The University Of Georgia Stem Initiative Ii Projects, Programs And Partnerships, Charles Kutal, Nancy Vandergrift

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

No abstract is available.

Stem Ii Initiative At Georgia College, Rosalie A. Richards

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

At Georgia College & State University, implementation of the USG STEM Initiative is flourishing and multifaceted. Our initiative has not only made a positive impact on student performance and retention but also has helped create an environment that fosters local and institutional recognition of STEM-related work. This positive environment increases faculty satisfaction and productivity, and this overall is good for retention of faculty. Supported by USG Presidential STEM Initiative

A Medley Of Successful Active-Learning Methods, Sarah Formica

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

This workshop will present a medley of active-learning methods that have been implemented successfully in both introductory and upper-level physics courses. The participants will engage in methods that include Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT), clicker questions, whiteboard activities, and virtual experiments. The workshop will be designed very much like a class that employs these methods, with a pre-workshop online assignment that is due “Just in Time” before the workshop, and whiteboard activities and clicker questions associated with the active-learning methods. The participants will work in teams to develop some JiTT assignments, clicker questions, and whiteboard activities that they could use in their …

Bor Stem Initiative At West Georgia: Our Story, Farooq A. Khan, Myrna Gantner, Satyanarayana Swamy-Mruthinti

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

No abstract is available.

The Usg Stem Ii Initiative At Georgia Perimeter College, Pamela J. W. Gore, Kouok Law

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

No abstract is available.

More Robust Conclusions And More Effective Applications, Craig Nelson

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

The abstract is not available.

Student Success And Time Management In College Algebra, Steven Wallace, Mary Wolfe, June Jones, Gaston Brouwer

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

The panel will illustrate how the students’ completion of the instructional system ALEKS objectives correlates with student success and retention rates. The panel will also discuss the influence of factors such as time management on success and the promotion of good study practices for students using computer-based learning systems.

Preparing And Fostering Learner-Centered Faculty, Lydia Soleil, Donna Llewellyn

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

This session will describe two programs Georgia Tech has in place to help nurture STEM education leaders, one for graduate students and one for faculty. Both programs use the learner-centered teaching paradigm, backwards design as a framework, and peer learning communities. Alumni of the two programs will share their experience and benefits in a panel format. Facilitators invite analysis of program ideas for possible transfer to other contexts.

The Gpc & Amc Mesa Program, Abe Ojo, Kouok Law

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) and Atlanta Metropolitan College (AMC) have established the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Program since Fall-2007 academic year. The program was initially jointly funded by the MESA California Consortium and after the first year operation, completely funded by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. The MESA model was established to assist in increasing the retention of educationally disadvantaged students (minorities, female, low-income, first generation college students) majoring in STEM areas and helping them transfer to four-year institutions in Georgia and across the nation. This presentation describes the components of the MESA …

Methodology And/Or Technology: Making Difference In Improving Students' Problem Solving Skills, Zdeslav Hrepic, Katherine Lodder, Kimberly Shaw

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Wirelessly networked, in-class computing opens a wide array of possibilities for active instructional methodologies (Hrepic, Rebello, & Zollman, 2009). Earlier studies showed a substantial potential that the pen input computers combined with interactive software like DyKnow (www.dyknow.com) may have in facilitating students’ problem solving ability. The session has two goals. The first one is to demonstrate the instructor-student classroom interaction dynamics enabled or facilitated by DyKnow software and pen-input computers. The second one is to present selected research findings associated with student learning while using this technology. The most recent of our studies was to isolate the effect of the …

Building Transformative Leaders In Stem Education, Julia Metzker, Karynne Kleine, Laurie Huffman

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

Representatives from Georgia College will use their experiences as members of the Innovative Course-building Group, a structured collaboration across departments and disciplines, to stimulate a discussion with attendees about building strong faculty leaders capable of making the important structural changes needed to address curriculum issues in the STEM fields. Our goal is that you will leave this roundtable with an action plan for engaging STEM faculty at your institution.

A Medley Of Successful Active-Learning Methods, Sarah Formica

Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching & Learning Conference (2012-2019) (Archived)

This workshop will present a medley of active-learning methods that have been implemented successfully in physics courses. The participants will engage in methods that include Just-in-Time Teaching, clicker questions, whiteboard activities, and virtual experiments. The workshop goal is to show how these active-learning methods can be applied in a STEM classroom to increase students’ conceptual understanding and problem solving skills.

Equal Or Not? An Exploration Of Eighth-Grade Students' Experience Of Algebra, Janice L. Reyes

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Over the past two decades, a considerable amount of algebra instruction nationwide has shifted from high school to middle school. In Georgia, all eighth-grade students have been required to take a course that is equivalent to about 80 percent of a traditional Algebra 1 course. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how a selected group of eighth-grade students in a suburban Georgia middle school experience algebra within the eighth grade mathematics curriculum. A qualitative research design was used to investigate students’ perceptions of algebra, the strategies employed by teachers to teach algebra, students’ difficulties with algebra, and …

Introductory Texts, Georgia Association Of Mathematics Teacher Educators

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Cover Page

GAMTE Information

Table of Contents

Paper 1: Investigating Mathematical Literacy Through Teacher Language, Alyson Lischka

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Communication about mathematical concepts using appropriate terminology is a standard established by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. However, international test results show that United States’ students are lagging in mathematical literacy. This case study analyzes the ways in which instructors use language to help students move toward conceptual understanding of mathematical vocabulary. Three mathematics education professors at a mid-size four year institution were observed teaching math classes to students enrolled in elementary or secondary certification programs. Collected data included: audio-recorded observations and field notes, lesson artifacts such as quizzes and handouts, and audio-recorded interviews with each participant. Findings …

Paper 2: Collaborating To Meet The Standards: Implications For Professional Development, Erik D. Jacobson, Laura M. Singletary

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Researchers from the University of Georgia interviewed 27 Mathematics 1 teachers about their experiences during the first year of the high school implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). We report our findings about teachers’ experiences with Mathematics 1 professional development and describe features of professional development that teachers identified as most beneficial. Some teachers offered suggestions for professional development that differed from the professional development they had experienced. In addition, we found that many teachers used collaborative strategies to meet the demands of the new curriculum and the perceived inadequacies of resources and training. We discuss the various models …

Paper 5: Embracing The Vision: Our Work With Teachers Implementing Gps, Sarah Ledford, Wendy B. Sanchez, Marian Fox

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

In 2005, three Kennesaw State University mathematics education faculty members began a series of workshops titled “Implementing the Georgia Performance Standards [GPS]: Embracing the Vision.” This workshop series has been underwritten by Georgia’s Teacher Quality Higher Education Program. The first series of workshops began with 6th grade teachers the first year the GPS was implemented and the project has been funded each subsequent year since its inception. Currently, we are working with Math III teachers as they implement the course for the first time. The initial focus for the project was on conceptual understanding versus procedural understanding, writing tasks that …

Paper 3: Extending K-8 Mathematics Concepts In Alternate Bases, Dianna J. Spence

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

When learning to represent mathematics with manipulatives, many pre-service K-8 teachers rely on memorized rote procedures to perform the associated mathematical tasks; then they arrange the manipulatives to match their result, often with minimal understanding of underlying mathematical connections. In a Number and Operations course for K-8 pre-service teachers, a portion of the class was conducted in alternate bases: Base 6 and Base 8 Blocks were used to model operations with integers to facilitate deeper understanding of the number systems and arithmetic processes being represented. Fractions and decimals were later covered only in Base 10. On midterm and final exams, …

Paper 4: Basic Skills Testing In Math 2008, Susie M. Lanier, Sharon Taylor, Donna B. Saye

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Math 2008 is an Area F course for early childhood majors in the University System of Georgia. The course covers basic skills that pre-service teachers will most likely be teaching in their career. At Georgia Southern University, many students in the course do not possess or have forgotten these basic skills. In Fall 2009, a basic skills test was implemented for Math 2008. Students must earn a score of 90 or higher on the test in order to pass the course. The test not only serves to let students know their areas of weakness, but also informs the instructor’s teaching. …

Introductory Texts, Georgia Association For Mathematics Teacher Educators

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Cover page

GAMTE Information

Table of Contents

Paper 1: Analysis Of Achievement For Understanding Geometry, Linda Nash, Annita Hunt, Denise Huddlestun, Kelli Nipper

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a mathematics professional development course. More specifically, in this study we examine whether geometric experiences have an impact on level of performance in mathematics. The van Hiele (Fuys, D., Geddes, D., & Tischler, R., 1988) model of geometric understanding provided a research framework from which to view geometric understanding. This model suggests five levels of understanding that should be taken into consideration when examining levels of geometric thinking: Visual, Descriptive/Analytic, Abstract/Relational, Formal Deduction/Proof, and Rigor.

The sample under study was three cohorts of practicing elementary teachers and mathematics coaches …

Paper 2: Content Knowledge And Pedagogical Content Knowledge Of Algebra Teachers And Changes In Both Types Of Knowledge As A Result Of Professional Development, Joy W. Black

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

In seeking to improve the mathematics education of all students, it is important to understand the connection between the content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of mathematics and how professionals can influence growth in both of these types of knowledge. We do not have an answer about the interplay of content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge in successful instructional practices in the mathematics classroom. This study involves assessing the content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge of secondary teachers of Algebra I. In addition, how are these types of knowledge expressed in instructional practices? Last, how do content knowledge, pedagogical content …

Paper 3: Authentic Discovery Projects In Statistics, Dianna Spence, Robb Sinn

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

We report the activities and findings of a 3-year project, ―Authentic, Career-Specific, Discovery Learning Projects in Introductory Statistics,‖ funded by the National Science Foundation. The project scope includes: 1) development of teaching materials for using discovery learning projects to teach statistics; 2) training secondary teachers to use the materials developed; 3) evaluation of student outcomes, in both content knowledge and attitudes toward statistics; and 4) extending and refining teacher training.

With input from an interdisciplinary team of instructors, materials were developed to assist the teacher in facilitating collaborative discovery projects using linear regression techniques and comparison techniques with appropriate t-tests. …

Introductory Texts, Georgia Association Of Mathematics Teacher Educators

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Cover page

GAMTE Information

Letter from the President

Table of Contents

Paper 2: Virtual Vs. Concrete Manipulatives In Mathematics Teacher Education: A Call For Research, Annita W. Hunt

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Are virtual manipulatives as effective as concrete (hands-on) manipulatives to build conceptual understanding of number concepts and relationships in pre-service middle grades teachers? In the past, the use of concrete manipulatives in mathematics courses for Clayton State University’s preservice middle grades teachers has proven to be a very effective way to build conceptual understanding of a variety of mathematical topics. This paper presents an argument for the need for research into the usefulness of virtual manipulatives for enhancing mathematics teacher education and their potential to supplement (or replace?) concrete manipulatives.

Paper 1: Becoming Critical Mathematics Pedagogues: A Journey, David W. Stinson, Carla R. Bidwell, Ginny C. Powell, Mary M. Thurman

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

This session will report the findings of a study that explored the beginning transformations in the pedagogical philosophies and practices of three mathematics teachers (middle, high school, and 2-year college) who completed a graduate-level mathematics education course that focused on critical theory and teaching for social justice, and how these transformations are compatible (or not) with reform mathematics education as suggested by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and in turn, the new Georgia Performance Standards (GPS). The study employed Freirian participatory research methodology; in fact, the participants were not only co- researchers, but also co-authors of the …

Paper 5: Preservice Teachers’ Disposition Self-Appraisals: Is There A Connection To Mathematics Instructional Practices?, Shonda Lemons-Smith

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

This paper explores preservice teachers’ dispositions and the connection to mathematics instructional practices. The Theory of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy served as the theoretical grounding for the study. Hence, its three broad propositions: conceptions of self and others, social relations, and conceptions of knowledge structure the argument presented. The participants in the study are elementary preservice teachers enrolled in a post-baccalaureate alternative certification program. The full-time, accelerated program focuses on and is specifically designed for individuals committed to teaching in urban, high-poverty schools. A dispositions survey, open-ended narratives, and teaching observation rubric served as data sources for the qualitative study. Findings …

Paper 3: Actively Engaging Pre-Service Teachers In Geometry And Measurement, Kadian M. Callahan

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

Current work in mathematics education suggests that the learning experiences in which teachers engage during undergraduate study influences their knowledge of and beliefs about mathematics and the ways in which they will teach (Allen, et. al., 2008; CBMS, 2001; Hill, Rowan, & Ball, 2005; National Research Council, 2001). However, very little is known about pre-service teachers’ learning experiences and how those experiences influence their thinking about mathematics teaching and learning. The classroom excerpt described here attempts to illuminate how pre-service, elementary teachers’ active engagement in the learning of geometry and measurement influences their mathematical power: a positive disposition toward mathematics, …

Paper 4: The Paaps Strategy For Teaching Mathematics Content, Gregory K. Harrell

Georgia Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (GAMTE) Annual Conference (2007-2019)

In the fall of 2005, I started teaching the mathematics content course Algebra and Geometry for Teachers. The majority of students in the course are pre-service middle school teachers. Instead of teaching the course by demonstrating rigorous proofs, I wanted to use teaching strategies that would build the students’ content knowledge and connect to their roles as future mathematics teachers. I chose to make problem solving a focal process standard by having students problem- solve for a majority of classroom time. In addition, the students complete a major project entitled “Provide, Attempt, and Assess Problem Solving” or PAAPS. For PAAPS, …