The U.S. Department of Education has announced the funding of an innovative telelcommunications project that uses the Internet to deliver online professional development in the use of standards-based mathematics approaches to grades four and five math teachers. The greatest challenge generated by the new mathematics standards is that effective implementation requires teachers to make fundamental changes in teaching practice, acquire a deeper understanding of content, and become familiar with technology. It is likely that much of the current backlash against the standards is fueled by examples of poor implementation by unprepared teachers. If the nation is to benefit from the increased student mathematics learning promised by the new standards, and for the standards to function as intended, an intensive teacher professional development effort is urgently needed.

In response to this need, The Concord Consortium is leading and coordinating the Seeing Math Telecommunications Project on behalf of a consortium of private and public partners who have extensive experience in telecommunications and mathematics education. Partners include COMAP, a mathematics education group in Lexington, Mass., and TeachScape in New York, who provides online teacher professional development.

The project will develop six highly interactive online digital video case studies, which will be made available free to teachers. Video case studies, when properly supported, are far more effective in improving teaching techniques than abstract discussions or readings on how to teach. A video shows an entire environment and explains how to respond to typical student issues. Online video case studies can be made highly interactive by linking them to lesson plans, student work, relevant standards and assessments, background content, expert commentary, teacher reflection, and moderated online discussion groups.

Busy teachers need ways of upgrading their teaching strategies that are available anytime, anywhere. Because the Internet is increasingly able to handle video on demand, online case studies and courses provide a cost-effective way of providing alternatives.

For more information about the Seeing Math Telecommunications Project,
contact Alvaro Galvis.
alvaro@concord.org

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