Building a Thinking Mathematics Classroom

In collaboration with Michigan's Integrated Mathematics Initiative (Mi)^2, DACTM is pleased to present: Building a Thinking Mathematics Classroom

Cost of the session includes: 

• one-day workshop with Dr. Peter Lilijedahl, Associate Professor at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada and the original researcher/developer of this session
  
• 3 follow-up sessions with a DACTM coach
  
• lunch
  
• classroom materials
  
• training materials
  
• one-year membership to DACTM (for current non-members)

Session Description:

We know that problem solving is an effective way for students to learn to think mathematically and to acquire deep knowledge and understanding of the mathematics they are learning. This is why it is so important that we find ways to introduce problem solving into our classrooms. But the implementation of problem solving in a classroom where the students are not used to problem solving is not a fertile setting for success. What teachers need are a set of tools to help them push through this early resistance. In this workshop we will look at a series of such tools, emerging from research and specifically designed to build a conducive problem solving environment in the classroom, and present the results of research that investigates their effectiveness in helping teachers to kick-start the use of problem solving in their teaching. Results indicate that a problem solving environment and culture can be quickly established even in very traditional classrooms. 

Presenter:

Dr. Peter Liljedahl is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Faculty of Education and an associate member in the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. He is the coordinator of the M.Sc. Program in Secondary Mathematics Education which is a unique collaboration between Faculty of Education and Department of Mathematics, is affiliated with the Ph.D. program in Mathematics Education, and is a co-director of the David Wheeler Institute for Research in Mathematics Education.

Dr. Liljedahl is a former high school mathematics teacher who has kept his research interest and activities close to the classroom. He consults regularly with schools, school districts, and ministries of education on issues of teaching and learning, assessment, and numeracy. Dr. Liljedahl is also a member of the executive of the British Columbia Mathematics Teachers Association (BCAMT) and co-editor of their flagship journal, Vector.

SCECHs available pending approval for no charge (a small fee is charged by the state when uploading SCECHs at the website)