Teaching Tools - K-5 Teachers of Mathematics
Case Studies and TPR Analysis
In support of professional learning for K-5 teachers of mathematics, Cisco learning Institute with CaseNEX is creating online case studies to examine the nature of mathematical learning and the teaching of mathematics in meaningful contexts. Participating teachers will submit video taped samples of instruction for analysis by CaseNEX's TPR system.
Developed by faculty and students at the University of Virginia, the TPR offers data collectors a valid, reliable, useful method to collect information on the teaching practices. Based on the latest educational research, the TPR describes the extent to which teachers behave in ways that influence student academic learning, involvement in classes, and motivation. Available in laptop or PDA-based versions, the TPR records data digitally, making data storage and analysis simple and instantaneous.
Interactive Gallery of Student Work
Cisco Learning Institute has created an interactive gallery for posting student work samples that allows teachers to make comments on different approaches students use for mathematical solutions. The gallery displays and organizes images of student work and accepts file uploads. (e.g. scanned in student work). The tool allows comments and maintains a comment list (dialog) for each gallery image upload. Images can be viewed as thumbnails with titles to enable ease of scrolling or the user can jump to a particular image; this process may use a slider, table of contents, or search. The size of thumbnails and images can be easily adjusted. Teachers can create subsets of the images, sort and organize them in a variety of ways. It is possible to edit and draw on images (e.g. an arrow or circle) or label parts of the image. Text can be added such as directions in a special place in the gallery. Images can be printed.
Interactive Math Whiteboard
In an online environment teachers will be able to complete graphical mathematical work including text capability for descriptions and explanations. Teachers can record the process of solving mathematical problems, comment on them, and create materials to present their methods, experiments, and solutions to others.
Whiteboard quadrants will allow users to compare and contrast a variety of mathematical representations then enter into discussions about multiple representations of mathematical concepts. Teachers can generate charts, tables, number lines, rectangular grids and arrays. They can import graphic images from other applications and then label or circle parts them.
Lesson Planning Tool
This tool allows teachers to develop a lesson plan in a step by step fashion over a period of time. This template includes defining the course goal, the relevant objectives, learning outcomes, assessments, materials, activities, external resources, bibliography etc. The tool will allow other teachers to review lesson plans and provide suggestions and feedback. The tool is accessible during a course and allows editing (a revision cycle) as the work progresses.
Videos on Demand (VoDs)
VoDs allow users to select and watch video content over a network. VoD systems either "stream" content, allowing viewing in real time, or VoDs can be downloaded locally. VoDs can be viewed on computers, mobile phones and iPods. Cisco Learning Institute will be making versions of VoDs for these devices. K-5 Math Teaching VoDs will be available in 2009.
Mathematics Professional Learning Online Center
We are creating a center where teachers can access courses to complete for certification credit. The courses will contain interactive assessment features to check for understanding. Teachers will be able to access and post lesson plans as well as add comments and offer feedback. They will have the ability to participate in blogs, listen to podcasts and post video clips to illustrate instructional practices. Teachers will have the opportunity to sign-up for webinars on topics of interest. The online center will also support communitites of practice.
