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Using this Site for Professional Development

Workshop Scenario #1: Middle school mathematics teachers

In brief: Ask participants to read one Classroom Example, then respond – first in small groups and then as a whole group. Suggested length: one hour.

Begin by selecting one of the Classroom Examples. In our work with teachers, we have worked through this activity with Classroom Example #9: Adjustable Spinner – Experimenting with probability using a digital spinner. Print out copies of the Classroom Example using the website’s Print Center.

Engage participants with a demonstration of the technology in the context of the lesson.

Participants then read the Classroom Example handout by themselves and sort themselves into groups of three to five. Each group addresses the questions you give them. We suggest no more than two questions to ensure that the conversation can be thoughtful. Here are sample questions – these will need to be adjusted based on the experiences of the group and your goals.

• What kind of classroom structure does the teacher use; how does technology support that structure?
• Based on the "script," how would you describe the discussion? What is the role of the teacher in this discussion? How does the discussion help to achieve the teacher’s goals?
• Where and how does assessment occur?
• What is the value of the technology in this vignette? How does the technology support the learning of the math content? Would this lesson have been possible without the technology?

Debrief as a group. Ask, "What have you learned that you can take back to your classroom to use with your students?" Conclude the session with a clear set of points (and questions, if appropriate) that emerge from the session. They can be used to start the next session.

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