Research Projects Yielding New Tools: Two Examples
New tools for teachers to use in planning instruction and collaborating with fellow instructors are steadily emerging as CRESMET researchers enter the fourth year of two major NSF-funded projects, Project Pathways and TPC².
While the researchers will continue to test and refine their tools before disseminating them widely, we are pleased to give readers an early look at two that are showing promising results.
TheLesson Logic© is an innovation from Pat Thompson’s TPC² team. It is not a lesson plan—or, as CRESMET staff expert Larry Dukerich said, “If a lesson logic is a lesson plan, it’s a lesson plan on steroids.”
TheLearning Community Observation Protocol© is being developed by Marilyn Carlson and Michael Oerhtman’s Project Pathways research teams. The tool reflects the knowledge their researchers are uncovering about effective methods for forming and sustaining a professional learning community of teachers, one that focuses on exploring content and improving instruction.
CRESMET Trains Educators to Use RTOP Classroom Observation Tool
At the invitation of the Arizona Department of Education CRESMET professional development staff held a one-day workshop this fall that trained nearly 100 mathematics and science teachers and curriculum leaders to use the RTOP—the Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol.
RTOP is an instrument developed by ASU researchers to identify the degree to which teachers use “reformed” classroom techniques that research suggests are helpful to students learning math and science. The instrument lists characteristics in the categories of lesson design and implementation, content, and classroom culture. …More
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ASU Mathematics Education Ranks 14 Among Leading U.S. Programs
In a peer-survey of 70 U.S. four-year institutions that operate doctoral programs in mathematics education, the graduate programs at ASU ranked 14th.
The 70 institutions surveyed account for more than 80 percent of doctorates in mathematics education. The majority of the institutions have been offering mathematics education doctoral programs for over 30 years. The ASU program has risen to national ranking in 10 years…More
National Science Board Issues Plan for STEM—CRESMET Staff Co-Chairs Committee
On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the day the Soviet Union shocked America by launching the satellite Sputnik into space—a shock that sent reformers scrambling to improve American math and science education— the National Science Board released a national plan calling once again for major changes in the way the United States organizes and conducts education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Jo Anne Vasquez, CRESMET’s director of policy, outreach and professional development, served as vice chair of the report commission, called the Commission for 21st Century Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Dr. Vasquez was also liaison between the commission and the NSB....More
Math as a Way of Reasoning: CRESMET Piloting Reform of College Algebra
Like universities nationwide, ASU sees far too many students either failing or withdrawing from College Algebra, for many the first and only mathematics course they will take in their college careers. Approximately 1,700 or 20% of ASU’s freshman class enrolls in College Algebra annually. In some years, as many as 50% of those students fail or drop out of the course.
At the request of ASU Provost and Executive Vice President of the University Elizabeth Capaldi, a CRESMET team led by Center Director Marilyn Carlson worked with 10 of ASU’s 80 course sections of College Algebra last semester to pilot an innovative new version of the course.
The College Algebra Reform project (CAR) is refocusing the course based on research that suggests that new methods are more effective than traditional memorization and rote practice of equations that students perform without understanding the mathematical ideas that generate them...More
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Recent Publications
CRESMET-affiliated faculty have published several books and research journals in recent months.
Marilyn Carlson, working with Chris Rasmussen of San Diego State University, has co-edited a volume of articles designed to introduce mathematicians to research insights from the field of mathematics education that can improve even the experienced instructor’s results in student learning. The Mathematical Association of America. is publishing and distributing the volume. Proceeds will be donated toSIGMAA on RUME, the Special Interest Group of the MAA on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education. ...More
CRESMET Staff Participating on Math, Science Curriculum Teams for ASU Charter School
CRESMET professional development specialists Jo Anne Vasquez and Nora Ramirez are participating with teams of university experts and faculty in defining and developing science and mathematics curriculum maps for the first of four charter schools that ASU is establishing.…More
News In Brief
Opinion: Math is about solving, not solutions…More
Parents, Students Feel Less Urgency for Math, Science Upgrades…More
American Students Behind International Peers in Math and Science…More
Liberal Arts Schools Offering Engineering…More
Parents Count in Mathematics and Science…More
Teacher Preparation Programs Make Rookies as Effective as Veterans…More
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