IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute The Mathematics Education Research Program will include four strands of activity in the Summer Session of 2002. 1. International Seminar on Mathematics Education
In a major innovation at the 2001 Summer Session, PCMI hosted a week-long international seminar, comparing systems of mathematics education from a diverse selection of countries and cultures. Teams consisting of one mathematics education policy-maker and one currently practicing secondary mathematics teacher representing each of eight countries (Brazil, Egypt, France, India, Japan, Kenya, Sweden, USA) participated. Each international team led the examination of one major aspect of secondary mathematics education. In 2002, the focus of this seminar will be on teacher education in the various countries represented (to be announced). This topic dovetails with the overall education theme of PCMI, Knowledge of Mathematics for Teaching. Discussion will be generated by examples of practice brought by the international guests, as well as by the Mathematics Teaching Lab (see below) and other presentations on teaching. POSTPONED until Summer Session 2003: 2. Elementary Mathematics Teaching Lab (MTL) New to PCMI is a focus on K-6 mathematics instruction. In the 2002 Summer Session, mathematics educator Deborah Ball will teach a sequence of 5 mathematics classes on number to elementary school children in a "Mathematics Teaching Lab." This activity will function as a centerpiece for generating serious and structured ‘cross-program’ conversation around the theme of knowledge of mathematics for teaching. The primary participants in these discussions (including 1-2 selected participants from each of the six component programs of PCMI) will attend a daily ‘preview’ session, observe the lab classes, then a final daily session to analyze and question practice, explore the mathematics that emerges and how that mathematics informs teaching decisions. Please note: the Elementary Mathematics Teaching Lab is now scheduled to take place in the Summer of 2003. 3. Assessing the NCTM Principles and Standards. The Standards Impact Resource Group (SIRG) of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, a 5-year standing committee to assess the impact and influence of the NCTM’s Principles and Standards, will be in-residence for one week during PCMI. The committee is chaired by Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Michigan State University. In addition, PCMI will host Deborah Ball and Hyman Bass, both of the University of Michigan, as Education Researchers in-residence for one week of the Summer Session. Professor Ball is a member of the (Glenn) National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching. Professor Bass is the President of the American Mathematical Society.
4. Cross Cultural Seminar on
Lesson Study in Mathematics Teacher Education National Research Council The National Research Council in collaboration with U.S. and Japanese mathematics educators will join in a seminar to consider what knowledge and skills are needed to effectively engage in lesson study and what kind of learning lesson study supports. The seminar will build from the initial exploration of these ideas at a U.S.-Japan Workshop that was held immediately following the Ninth International Congress in Mathematics Education in Makuhari, Japan, on the use of professional development to improve mathematics teaching at the elementary level in the two countries. The goal of the seminar is to discuss in detail how the concept of lesson study can be framed as a medium for professional development also at the secondary level, to identify common research priorities related to lesson study, and to explore areas of joint research cooperation. The organizers will conduct a five-day seminar on the professional development of mathematics teachers in July 2002, with the IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute serving as host. The seminar will bring together approximately 12 people from each of the two countries to consider questions about the role of lesson study in the continuing education of teachers. The goal of the seminar will be to identify common research priorities related to lesson study and to explore possible areas of joint research cooperation. Key issues may focus on structure and mechanism of lesson study, extension of lesson study to secondary education, and the adaptation of lesson study to U.S. education. Possible questions to address include:
The Steering Committee for this seminar is composed of the following individuals and organizations: The National Research Council U.S. National Commission on Mathematics Instruction:
Michigan State University:
Tokyo Gakugei University:
IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute
Due to its limited size and highly structured agenda, participation in the Mathematics Education Research Program for Summer Session 2002 is by invitation questions or concerns should be directed to C. Giesbrecht |
