Vector Applications

in the Classroom

Provided yet another chance to present at the Middle Tennessee Mathematics Teachers conference, I decided to try something new with vectors.  Keeping with the less-lecture-more-playing theme, the session started off with a brief overview of how vectors are aligned across several mathematics courses, then moved into toying around with some activities.  The handouts are below, but note that the PowerPoint file is not meant for presentation, but rather exploring vector operations with the drawing tools.

Classroom Activities

for Exponential

Functions

For my second time presenting at the conference for the Middle Tennessee Mathematics Teachers, I decided to share a couple of experiments I've used in class that relate to exponential functions.  There is no formal presentation to share as this was a more "hands-on" session, but I have included both activities here.

Introduction to

Classroom Assessment

for Student Learning

This was a staff development presentation that was designed to introduce the faculty to the idea of assessment for learning program.  It includes a few suggestions for implementing formative assessment into the overall instructional plan.  The student assessment record is a document designed to record understanding of learning targets throughout the instructional period.

Connecting Concepts

in the Mathematics and Science Classrooms

My first opportunity to contribute to the educational community in Tennessee is through the Middle Tennessee Mathematics Teachers at a conference.  One of the themes involves bridging the mathematics and sciences curricula, so I thought I could share some of the labs I've used in the past with others.

End-of-Semester

Assessment

This was another "Snack and Share" session I presented at my local school.  It essentially summarizes bits and pieces of several previous presentations, but with a focus on final examinations.

Research in the

Classroom

A colleague and I were accepted to present a breakout session at the 2007 Annual Conference on Standards and Assessment, and its intent was to discuss how researched practices can be applied in the classroom by teachers and local administrators.

Better Practices

for Classroom

Assessment

This was a local school "Snack and Share" session that focused on several different aspects of classroom assessment.  Much of the information came from presentations at the 2006 Annual Conference on Standards and Assessment.

Teacher Evaluation

As part of my graduate studies, I was afforded the opportunity to present at the International Conference of the SINO-American Education Consortium with two classmates.  The presentation, related to one of my courses, discussed the different types of teacher evaluation and proposed how to include the best practices of each into a single assessment.

Constructing Better

Classroom

Assessments

This local school presentation was essentially a summary of the book Test Better, Teach Better: The Instructional Role of Assessment by W. James Popham.  In addition to general test construction tips, suggestions for writing better individual questions of various types were given.

Understanding

Standardized

Assessments

This was a local school session designed to help teachers better understand the many standardized assessments our students take - graduation tests, end-of-course tests, the SAT, and AP exams.  This informal talk began with a discussion on how to distinguish between two types of assessment.  The majority of the session then focused on how teachers can adjust their course planning and teaching strategies for improved student achievement on the assessments.