Free
for Massachusetts teachers 67.5 PDP
Optional 3
Graduate Credits $255 from Fitchburg State College
2010 Massachusetts DESE Summer PDI
An Intensive Immersion Institute
 |
High School Mathematics:
The Bird’s View and the Frog’s View |
 |
An Institute for
Teachers with a strong desire to teach Grades 9-12+ Mathematics more effectively
"It
is a mistake to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I
assure you no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There
is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and
diligently studied."
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Free for Massachusetts teachers
June 2, 2010 3:30 – 6:30
July 1 and July 6-9
and August 6, 2010. 8:00
– 3:30
[Note date change]
Fall date (1) TBA 3:30 - 6:30
Lexington High School. 251
Waltham Street, Lexington, MA, 02421
What are
past participants saying about similar courses?
Questions? Contact
Eileen O’Brien at (781)729-8696,
PDI2010@EduTron.com
High School Mathematics:
The Bird’s View and the Frog’s View
Intensive Immersion Institute
I3
An Institute for
Teachers with a strong desire to teach Grades 9-12+ Mathematics more effectively
Overview
“Birds
fly high in the air and survey broad vistas of mathematics out to the far
horizon. They delight in concepts that unify our thinking and bring together
diverse problems from different parts of the landscape. Frogs live in the mud
below and see only the flowers that grow nearby. They delight in the details of
particular objects, and they solve problems one at a time.” (Freeman Dyson,
2009) This institute provides an intensive mathematics immersion experience by
zooming into, and out of, various functions (linear, quadratic, exponential,
logarithmic, trigonometric, polynomial, rational, etc.) to develop an in-depth
and coherent understanding of high school algebra
and geometry. Applications and topics in other strands will be explored on
request. Participants will have a chance to experience high–level synthesis
(Bird’s view) as well as empirical problem solving (Frog’s view). This course
will be taught by active research scientists and is ideal for teachers teaching,
or preparing students for, Algebra II, Pre-calc, AP Calc and beyond. The course
models instruction based on the mathematics standards, and explores the topics
of ongoing formative assessments, instructional differentiation, multiple
representations, a variety of grouping strategies, student misconceptions, and
remediation. Participants will practice multi-topic concept mapping, visual
explanations, and challenging problems.
Online Application
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High School Mathematics:
The Bird’s View and the Frog’s View
Intensive Immersion Institute
I3
An Institute for
Teachers with a strong desire to teach Grades 9-12+ Mathematics more effectively
The Institute Experience:
The presenters,
Dr. Andrew Chen, Dr. George Johnston and Prof. Elaine Previte, are experienced
math educators,
Intensive Immersion Institutes** (I3) instructors, as well as
members of the authoring team of the
CLEAR Math*
program from MIT. Here are sample comments from former participants:
“Excellent! Challenging experience. Absolutely engaged in the learning process-
the brain certainly got lots of exercise. I developed more confidence in my own
learning that will directly transfer to my teaching. More understanding of the
‘why’ something mathematical happens. I will not be teaching all of the topics
presented but the awareness and knowledge gained is critical to my professional
development. The collegiality was incredible!!”
“The dynamics of a group can only be explained to someone
who has experienced it. It is really exciting to do meaningful analysis
of our work in front of people who truly want to understand and deepen
their teaching commitment."
“It woke up the math in me. It made me aware of my
strengths and weaknesses.” “… like pumping iron or running 7 miles… it was good
for me.” “I truly wished every math teacher could experience what I did in this
class. I have learned much about myself as a math teacher and as a math
student.”
“Wonderful! I would love to
take it again! The atmosphere was extremely non-threatening and there was
something for everyone. The subject matter was presented in a way which
challenged everyone,
but there was still the ability for those who did
not come with as much
knowledge of math to master the fundamentals!”
“I enjoyed the exchange with math teachers on a real math
level so much. Thank you for all that you did to draw out the best in each of
us.”
“This institute was the most valuable professional
development I have had in my career as a teacher. (Very long career…)”
“This course created
“Joyous” learning moments with the great feeling of “break-through” thinking and
thought connections and generalized concept development. (Made my “eyes water”
several times.) … I was richly rewarded in this course.”
“This institute provided me with the opportunity to challenge myself
mathematically. I enjoyed taking the emphasis off ‘teaching’ and putting it on
my individual learning. I learned a great deal from my colleagues and an
enormous amount from Andrew and George. I feel re-energized and also that I now
have more to offer as a teacher.”
**
District-based
Intensive Immersion Institutes,
I3,
can fundamentally transform individual teachers and their districts into
effective learning machines. Thanks to the chemistry, dynamics, and positive
peer pressure fostered in the rigorous, intensive and collegial workshop
experience. http://www.edutron.com
Online Application
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High School Mathematics:
The Bird’s View and the Frog’s View
Intensive Immersion Institute
I3
An Institute for
Teachers with a strong desire to teach Grades 9-12+ Mathematics more effectively
High
School Mathematics: The Bird’s View and the Frog’s View,
funded through a contract administered by the
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is offered at no
cost to educators. Space is limited; therefore, please
submit this application only if you can commit to attend all days of the
Institute and complete all Institute requirements.
Sessions will be held at
Lexington Public Schools in
MA
. Participants will obtain
67.5 PDPs
after successful completion of the Institute requirements--including an
individual project. Fitchburg State College will award
three graduate credits at $255.
Priority for Registration Teachers from high need districts will
receive first priority for registration. Mathematics teachers that are not
currently licensed in mathematics will receive next priority. Teachers from high
need districts are encouraged to participate as a team.
EduTron Corporation is a
math and science education products and services company founded by MIT
scientists and engineers in 1994. EduTron provides the following
framework-compliant products and services:
-
K-12 Mathematics and Science consulting
at all levels—International, Federal, State, District, School, and
Classroom. Customized assistance in Policy, Research, Implementation, and
Review.
-
Content-based professional development - Intensive Immersion Institutes
(I3), and
-
Intelligent courseware - CLEAR Math.
In
these services and products, it is at the forefront of applied cognitive science
and computer-human interface research. Its goal is to train and liberate
teachers to do what they do best. The EduTron Team is passionate about improving
mathematics and science education.
EduTron’s Intensive Immersion approach has attracted attention at national and
state levels. For example:
(1)
The Intensive Immersion Institutes (I3) was listed as one of the
models in a CCSSO report in 2008:
Does teacher professional development have effects on teaching and learning.
(2) Tackling
the STEM crisis: Five steps your state can take to improve the quality and
quantity of its K–12 math and science teachers. The EduTron Intensive Immersion
Institute is highlighted as exemplary PD.
http://www.nctq.org/p/docs/nctq_nmsi_stem_initiative.pdf
(3) The Abt MSP
report (to be published by Fed DOE)
named I3 as one of the 12 Selected MSP Projects.
The
Intensive Immersion Institutes in mathematics and science provide deep content,
sustained and coherent programs, and involvement of mathematicians and
scientists. By engaging teachers in intensive immersion experiences that are
authentic to the subjects and relevant to the classroom, they foster essential
habits of mind, make deep conceptual connections, and therefore enrich their
mathematical and scientific dispositions and their relationship with the
subjects they teach.
*
CLEAR Math
(Computer-based
Learning Environment with Advanced Remediation) has been approved by MA DOE as
Frameworks/MCAS compliant and technically appropriate software for grades 6-12.
It is being used in more than 35 districts in Massachusetts with excitingly
positive outcomes. (See www.edutron.com)
Online Application
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High School Mathematics:
The Bird’s View and the Frog’s View
Intensive Immersion Institute
I3
An Institute for
Teachers with a strong desire to teach Grades 9-12+ Mathematics more effectively
ONLINE APPLICATION