M2T2 Overview: February 10, 2001

George Reese

A brief history of the M2T2 project and where it stands as of 2/10/01

Original Project Goal (Spring 2000)

Create mathematics materials at the middle school level that will be used by teacher trainers, are connected to the Illinois Learning

Standards (ILS), are strong mathematically, and make appropriate use of technology but

were not dependent on calculators or computers.

The Original M2T2 Team

Included teachers, mathematicians, mathematics educators, and administrators

Met four times between late March and mid-June in 2000.

Created one module connected to each of the Goals of the ILS.

http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/m2t2

FOR MORE INFO...

Comments from the M2T2 Development Team

Enjoyed the meetingsEnjoyed the group very much, particularly the

opportunity to dialogueFelt good about the modules they worked onThought the meetings were well organizedLoved the food!The diversity of the group was important. Good to have mathematicians on board

Suggestions from the M2T2 Development Team

More time to workChance to see all the

modules as a wholeBetter use of InternetRewards for time invested rather than

attendanceThe process should be on-going

Trainer-of-Trainers Workshops: July 2000

Two workshops at Rend Lake and two at Glenn Ellyn.

100 trainers went through the combined set of workshops.

Trainers received a binder, calculator and a set of materials.

Comments from the Trainers who attended the M2T2 workshops

Enjoyed “hands-on”.

Technology- 35% of attendees mentioned that they enjoyed the technology components and/or would like to have had more.

Issue: Confidence in mathematics varied greatly

among participants.

Suggestions from the Trainers who attended the M2T2 workshops

Avoid “reinventing the wheel”. That is, coordinate M2T2 with materials already in use.

Include more on the technology (especially Sketchpad and TI-73).

More explicit information on who the training workshops are for and how workshops for teachers will be conducted.

How Prepared Did the Trainers Feel?

Readiness to Conduct M2T2 Workshop

28

20

2 10

5

10

15

20

25

30

Ready to dotraining

Ready to trainw/team

Need moretraining

Not ready

51 trainers surveyed: Rend Lake - 30 Glen Ellyn - 21

*Several of these indicated they would prefer to work in groups

*

Teachers who have taken the workshops

54 feedback forms submitted through the Web from 6workshops around the state.

50 indicate that they will use at least some of the modules in their classes.

Most indicate they like the hands-on activities (posters, M&Ms, etc.) and technology (calculators and spreadsheets).

They liked their presenters.

Issue: Intended Workshops vs. Delivered Workshops

The limited data we have so far indicates that workshop leaders adapt the materials to their own style and experiences. Sometimes this appears to lead to workshops very close to those delivered last summer. Sometimes there is new or entirely different content.

Documentation on delivered workshops is still small.

Ideas for the M2T2 Phase 2 Materials

Build on the strengths of the previous team and add new members.

Use the Internet for communication and development of more materials.

More reward for “writers”. Have time for piloting and critique of

the materials by the group.

Ideas for the M2T2 Phase 2 Materials (continued)

Include information on the logistics of giving workshops (money, time, training).

Define what is and is not an M2T2 Workshop.

Include explicit connections to assessments.

Create a support network for M2T2 trainers.

Ideas for the M2T2 Phase 2 Materials (continued)

Enhance the technology components of materials.

Include an appendix with a list of resources in mathematics, assessment, and technology (Websites, books, lesson materials). For example, more information on rubrics.

Ideas for the M2T2 Phase 2 Workshops

Encourage teaming for the workshops.Develop explicit scenarios for

workshop timing (4 days in a row vs. scattered over the semester or year).

Explicit plans for logistics (money, materials, and support).

Include more technology training.Find ways to “get the word out”.

Goals for This Weekend: Feb 10 and 11, 2001

List revisions that need to be made to M2T2 modules.

Prepare outlines for workshops for administrators and post-secondary teacher educators.

Timeline

M2T2 organization workshop Feb 9-11Writings meetings (two) in March.Pilot workshops (one in April and one

in May)Revise modules to prepare for

trainers-of-trainers sessions in July

Research and Reports

TIMSS and TIMSS-R“Before It’s Too Late” - Glen Commission“A Splintered Vision” -McKight et. al.“The Teaching Gap” - Stigler and Hiebert“Adding It Up” - National Research

Council (Kilpatrick et. al)How might M2T2 connect to the proposed

Illinois Center for Mathematics (ICM)?