How much time does it take to implement a module?
On what content do the modules focus?
What kinds of materials are included in a module?
Are the modules online courses?
What assessment tools are available?
What facilitator supports are available?
What technology is needed?
What modules are currently available?
Will additional modules be developed?
In what contexts can the modules be used?
What uses of the Dev-TE@M materials are not supported?
Are there additional conditions for participating in a pilot test of the materials?
How can I sign up to use the materials?
Developing Teaching Expertise @ Mathematics (Dev-TE@M) is a materials development project at the University of Michigan School of Education. We are building practice-focused professional development modules for practicing elementary mathematics teachers.
What are the goals of the project?
The overarching goal of the Dev-TE@M project is to improve student learning in mathematics by improving the knowledge and skills of elementary mathematics teachers. We aim to do this by creating a system of high-quality professional development modules that address two fundamental challenges:
This system includes a series of modules focused on helping classroom teachers improve their teaching of elementary mathematics as well as a series focused on the development of mathematics leaders to work with classroom teachers on their practice.
How much time does it take to implement a module?
Each module consists of ten 90-minute sessions. There is also between-session work that provides teachers with opportunities to practice and extend their learning, as well as try things out in their classroom. On average, it takes 1-2 hours for teachers to complete the work assigned between sessions.
On what content do the modules focus?
What kinds of materials are included in a module?
Are the modules online courses?
Although the materials are web-based, the current module design only allows for sessions to be facilitated by a professional developer working in real time with a group of teachers. This includes both face-to-face sessions as well as remote sessions that utilize conferencing technologies for real time conversations. The materials do not provide adequate support for teachers or teacher leaders to use them for "independent study" or in asynchronous online courses.
What assessment tools are available?
Modules include periodic checks for understanding and opportunities for formative assessments of teaching practice. Depending upon their purpose, assessments may be self-checking, responded to by peers, and/or appraised by facilitators. The formative performance assessments require teachers to collect records of their practice and generate reflections connected to the module content. Facilitators and teachers appraise the performances using available criteria.
What facilitator supports are available?
Each site (facilitator) may access available module materials through the Dev-TE@M's course management site. If there is a learning management system (LMS) available at the facilitator's own school site or institution (Moodle, Desire2Learn, Blackboard, Sakai, etc.) and the LMS supports Common Cartridge, Dev-TE@M members will coordinate with the institution's technology support staff to set up the course within their own LMS.
What modules are currently available?
We will be piloting one module during during 2016-2017: Geometric Measurement and Spatial Reasoning in Elementary Mathematics Teaching. This module is being developed in collaboration with Douglas Clements and Julie Sarama from the University of Denver.
The content of the module focuses on:
We are also preparing new versions of the Supporting Reasoning and Explanations in Elementary Mathematics Teaching and Representing and Comparing Fractions in Elementary Mathematics Teaching modules based on feedback and data from earlier pilots. The revised modules will be available for use in Fall 2015.
Supporting Reasoning and Explanations in Elementary Mathematics Teaching
The content of the module focuses on:
Representing and Comparing Fractions in Elementary Mathematics Teaching
The content of the module focuses on:
Will additional modules be developed?
Yes. Over the next few years, we will be recruiting external module writing teams to collaboratively develop additional modules. The goal of the Dev-TE@M project is to build a coherent set of professional learning modules that someday may serve as the foundation for an Elementary Mathematics Specialist (EMS) endorsement program.
In what contexts can the modules be used?
Dev-TE@M modules are designed for facilitated professional development with practicing elementary teachers. Teachers work with a facilitator in real time, either in-person or remotely.
What uses of the Dev-TE@M materials are not supported?
Are there additional conditions for participating in a pilot test of the materials?
How can I sign up to use the materials?
We are currently recruiting teacher educators and professional developers to use our modules with practicing elementary teachers during 2016-2017.