Abstract
Project Pathways, an NSF Math Science Partnership professional development project, uses four semester-long courses and professional learning communities (PLCs) with the goal of enhancing teacher knowledge, skills and practice. The unifying concept of function is applied to promote conceptual competence in core content subjects and key problem solving processes. Modules integrating math, science, and engineering are delivered in team-based studio labs complemented by associated PLCs. The research question here is, "What is the effect of a function-driven joint high school math/science teacher based professional development project on teacher change, strategies, and actions?" The relevance is that it addresses issues about student math and science achievement and the STEM pipeline. Teacher change was evaluated using qualitative analysis of post-class question responses for five factors: creating a math/science teacher culture of collaboration; deepening content understanding by use of function; integrating math, science and engineering; developing inquiry strategies and materials and; promoting metacognition on student thinking for effective learning. For 27 responses, 24 showed positive change shown by shifts for one or more of five factors. Overall, the project created function-infused courses linked with multifaceted, synergistic PLCs that facilitated teacher change, strategies, and actions for improved practice.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2008 |
Event | 38th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE 2008 - Saratoga Springs, NY, United States Duration: Oct 22 2008 → Oct 25 2008 |
Other
Other | 38th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE 2008 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Saratoga Springs, NY |
Period | 10/22/08 → 10/25/08 |
Keywords
- And teaching modules
- Professional learning communities
- Student thinking
- Teacher metacognition
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computer Science Applications
- Software
- Education