Engaging Young Mathematicians with Digital Tools to Increase Conceptual Understanding
Session # 2205
Friday, November 11, 2011
In accordance with This We Believe, this session will promote the use of technology as a tool for active, purposeful teaching and learning of mathematical topics. Teachers can actively engage students with digital tools to increase students’ understanding of concepts, not just the recall of algorithms or procedures. Participants will manipulate digital objects, explore relationships, and create mathematical conjectures. We will use virtual math tools such as algebra tiles, color tiles, base-ten blocks, and geoboards to investigate math concepts. Specific teaching strategies will be shared including the use of digital manipulatives to enhance the effective use of interactive whiteboards. Virtual manipulatives can help bridge the gap between concrete and abstract concepts and have the power to transform the way students and teachers think about mathematics.
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University of South Carolina Aiken
Links:
- PowerPoint Presentation
Early Field Experiences for Pre-service Teachers
Session # RT141
Thursday, November 10, 2011
South Carolina’s Center of Excellence in Middle-level Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE-MIST) has a focus on early pre-service teacher preparation. Undergraduates enrolled in an adolescent development class were paired with mentor teachers in their content areas for a 10 to 20-hour service-learning project at a diverse, high-needs Title I middle school. This session will describe how the project was implemented, evaluated, and restructured to become an effective early field experience for pre-service teachers. Qualitative data was collected through written reflections, open-ended questions, and exit interviews. The comments were organized to reflect common themes including "Cultural Responsiveness," "Making a Difference," and "Life Changing Experience." Pre-service teachers and mentor teachers also evaluated the experience each semester using a five-point Likert scale.
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This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
University of South Carolina Aiken
Links:
- Roundtable Handout (pdf = 676k)
- Pre-service Teacher Evaluation Form (pdf = 119k)
- Mentor Teacher Evaluation Form (pdf = 119k)
Center of Excellence in Middle-level, Interdisciplinary Strategies for Teaching (CE-MIST)
