December 1998 Books Share Math, Science Teaching Strategies
Two new NWREL publications for elementary and secondary teachers address effective practices in math and science education. Part of the "It’s Just Good Teaching" series from the Laboratory’s Mathematics and Science Education Center, each publication focuses on a fundamental component of a high-quality math and science program.
In Engaging Families in Mathematics and Science Education, author Jennifer Stepanek shares a wealth of ideas and resources to help teachers build stronger, more active partnerships with families.
Educational research consistently shows that parent involvement at school improves student achievement, motivation, and attitudes about school. Unfortunately, many schools fail to nurture partnerships with all families, and many parents are not actively involved in school. And, for a variety of reasons, parents are even less likely to participate in math and science than in other subject areas.
"Parents are universally and persistently encouraged to read with their children, but they are seldom encouraged to work with their children on mathematics and science activities," notes Stepanek.
Engaging Families in Mathematics and Science Education focuses on working with parentsin the classroom, providing home learning activities, and planning events for families. The book digests research findings that call for improving family involvement; summarizes the barriers that teachers and parents must overcome in order to work together; describes strategies that many teachers and schools are using to involve parents in math and science education; and suggests additional resources to enhance family efforts, including ideas for further reading, organizations, and online resources.
Two components are essential for family involvement, according to Stepanek. First, teachers and schools must reach out to parents and make them a part of the school community. Unless school personnel make explicit invitations, she says, parents may not realize that they are welcome in the classroom. Second, parents need to feel that the school respects and values their efforts, no matter how small. Teachers can encourage parents to work with their children by letting them know they can help and that their help is valuable, regardless of their level of expertise with mathematics and science.
The book describes how teachers and schools can communicate with families more effectively—in writing, face to face, and through technologies such as the Internet, e-mail, and voice mail—and includes ideas for reaching parents of diverse backgrounds and situations. Strategies to encourage learning at home are also provided, including "everyday" math and science activities families can do together, questioning techniques parents can use for talking with kids about their schoolwork, and tips for helping kids with homework.
Stepanek stresses that no single approach will improve family involvement, and that not all of the strategies will work for all schools. The examples in the book were chosen to demonstrate the possibilities of family involvement, providing places to begin as well as ideas to improve existing programs and efforts.
Integrating Technology into Middle School Mathematics explores challenges teachers face as they introduce technology into the classroom and offers innovative ideas for tapping into technology’s potential.
"Over the past decade, education standards in math and science have been developed in response to wide concern about student achievement and the demands of an increasingly scientific, mathematical, and technical world," says author Denise Jarrett. "Advances in information technology have made it possible—even necessary—for students to access mathematics and scientific concepts in greater depth and with more sophistication than ever before."
As a result, many teachers are mastering new technologies and adapting them to teaching strategies, persevering despite familiar limits of time and resources. The effort is worthwhile, they say, because technology not only can equip students with job skills, but can facilitate learning as well. Technology may also help teachers respond to diverse learning styles in their classrooms by creating rich environments that encourage students’ tactile, visual, and auditory senses.
Research suggests that young people learn best when actively engaged in the learning of meaningful mathematics concepts and facts, rather than simply memorizing formulas. When students research information sources on the Internet, engage in educational electronic games, or construct presentations incorporating text, sound animation, and hyperlinks, they are working in an interactive environment, which may stimulate them to explore ideas more deeply and to present their knowledge more effectively. The interactive nature of technology can also empower students to develop such personal strengths as initiative, problem solving, and persistence.
Even hesitant students can be stirred to enthusiasm when given an opportunity to work on a computer or calculator, notes Jarrett. Teachers report that technology can enhance student motivation in the following ways:
- Quiet or reticent students can become "stars" with technology
- Students are more willing to write and work on computational skills
- Students appreciate the immediate feedback provided by the computer
- Students gain a sense of accomplishment and power when working with technology
- Students feel more competent and are proud of their technological skills
- Students demonstrate their knowledge more effectively when they have multiple ways of communicating their understanding
Technology has been shown to be most beneficial for students and teachers when it is integrated into the core curriculum, rather than taught as a separate discipline. To help teachers get started, the book explores different ways they can incorporate technology into math and science learning activities by using commonly available technological tools such as standard calculators, graphing calculators, spreadsheets, geometric construction software, multimedia software, the Internet, and portable computers and "smart" keyboards.
Jarrett also provides tips for succeeding with minimal resources, explores strategies for ensuring access for students of all backgrounds and abilities, and discusses concerns such as Internet safety, parent and student permissions, and copyright issues. Examples of policies and guidelines from schools that are actively using the Internet are also included, and an extensive list of resources provides suggestions for further reading, electronic resources, organizations, and suppliers.
Integrating Technology into Middle School Mathematics is designed to be flexible—teachers can read it front to back, or use it as a resource guide, selecting only those areas that are of immediate interest. Although the examples and strategies provided focus on middle school math teachers, any teacher can find useful ideas and resources in the book.
A single copy of Engaging Families in Mathematics and Science Education and Integrating Technology into Middle School Mathematics is free to Northwest residents upon request to the Mathematics and Science Education Center. Call Amy Coyle at (503) 275-0457 or 1-800-547-6339, ext. 457. Engaging Families in Mathematics and Science Education (PDF) and Integrating Technology into Middle School Mathematics (PDF) are also available on the World-Wide Web in PDF format. Please go to the Document Order Form for ordering information.
To view the Portable Document Format files (PDFs) on this site, download a free Acrobat Reader from Adobe http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
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