Factors influencing teacher instructional practice in mathematics when participating in professional development

In this research, I investigated teachers’ interpretations of the goals of professional development and factors that contributed to enacted instructional practices. A multiple-case study design was used to examine the interpretations of four high school teachers participating in a year-long professional development program with a standards-based framework for mathematics education. Data collection included information about the professional development program, the intended and enacted curriculum (Stein et al., 2007), the teachers’ interpretations of the professional development goals, and context factors that influenced instructional planning and implementation. The data were used to create a description of the professional development, a case study of each teacher that included a description of the enacted curriculum and a description of context factors that influenced the instructional practices. Additional examination included a cross-case analysis to identify common themes between the teachers. Each teacher provided an interpretation of the goals of the professional development that was consistent with the professional development, but often focused on a narrower objective for each of the goals. The teachers’ interpretations of the goals influenced their use of ideas from the professional development in their classrooms. Four additional context factors were identified as influences on enacted instruction: perception of classroom control, attitude towards standards-based instruction, usefulness of professional development activities in relationship to grade levels or courses taught, and concerns about student success due to a lack of experience with standards-based instruction. The findings of this research have implications for providers of professional development for K-12 teachers of mathematics. First, professional development providers need to spend time learning about teachers’ interpretations of the goals of the professional development. Second, professional development providers should use a framework of content to be learned that is aligned with the goals of a professional development program. Finally, learning activities and sample lessons during the professional development should be grade level or course appropriate

Understanding Engineering Design Fixation for K-12 Education

Design fixation is a distinct and established research topic at a post-secondary level which has shown that practitioners of engineering in any capacity (e.g., K-12 students, engineering students, college professors, or professional engineers) can experience fixation. Some research has shown that elementary and secondary students exhibit signs of design fixation while working on engineering design challenges (Luo, 2017; Mentzer et al., 2015). This research brief provides a definition of design fixation, describe fixation in the K-12 classroom, and suggest additional needed research

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Indiana STEM Education Conference: Resourcing STEM Education

The Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Indiana STEM Education Conference are edited by the Center for Advancing the Teaching and Learning of STEM (CATALYST, https://www.education.purdue.edu/catalyst/) at Purdue University. The theme for the 2024 conference is Resourcing STEM Education. This year’s Indiana STEM Education Conference provides opportunities to learn about effective STEM education strategies, curriculum, and resources to engage students in integrated STEM learning opportunities and address the recently updated Indiana Academic Standards for Science and Computer Science, Indiana Academic Standards for Mathematics, and Indiana Academic Standards for Integrated STEM (https://www.in.gov/doe/students/indiana-academic-standards/)

The Multiple Usages of Thinking With Algebra

Thinking With Algebra (TWA) is a National Science Foundation Project (DUE 2021414) to develop a post-secondary curriculum for intermediate algebra. TWA focuses on six elements that align with building algebraic fluency with conceptual understanding, a mixed review approach, small-group work, and whole-class discussion (Feikes, et al., 2021). Using an equity lens (Oppland-Cordell et al., 2023), TWA is designed for students, including underrepresented students, who need additional mathematical supports at the college level. Seventeen college math instructors attended a workshop on the lessons and pedagogy in order to use TWA in their college courses. Feedback from instructors participating in the TWA first-year faculty workshop indicated that the curriculum was used in many different ways to help prepare students for college algebra and other STEM courses

Students\u27 Perspectives of Thinking With Algebra

Thinking With Algebra (TWA) is a curriculum development project for college students needing introductory/intermediate algebra. Unique guiding principles of the project are a focus on algebraic structure, mixed review, equity, and a classroom approach emphasizing small-group work and whole-class discussion (Feikes et al., 2022). Results are derived from a survey given to one class of fifteen students taking an intermediate algebra summer course. The paper shares both Likert and open-ended responses. Data demonstrates that the students believed that the TWA curriculum was beneficial

Applying a Sociopolitical Equity Framework to a Developmental Algebra Curriculum

The Thinking With Algebra (TWA) curriculum, a National Science Foundation Project (DUE 2021414), applies a sociopolitical equity framework (Gutiérrez, 2012) to strengthen student participants’ mathematics achievement outcomes and mathematics identity development. Instructor and student data indicate improvements in these two dimensions. This project also expands knowledge about creating equitable math learning environments that support underrepresented students’ mathematical success