California State University, Chico – Progress Report
- Principal Investigator: William Fisher
- Topic of Minigrant: Designof new Mathematics Courses for Preservice Elementary Teachers
- Duration of Minigrant: 12/15/03- 12/15/05
- Date for Visit by PMET Monitor, given by PI: We suggest a spring visit in that the PMET team will have more to share with the visitor. Dates to avoid are Jan. 25-29, Feb. 11, Feb. 21, March 14-18, and April 5-9.
Activities and Progress
- Research the need for proportional reasoning emphasis in new course structure. PI did receive sabbatical for the fall 2004 semester. Research prompt was modified to look at preservice students ability to view an ambiguous contextual situation both additively and multiplicatively. Formal university human subjects review took place last spring and the collection of student data was approved. Further modification of prompt took place during the summer. During week 2 of the fall semester, all liberal studies students in four different mathematics classes (11sections) will be given the proportional reasoning prompt and the PI will begin to analyze preliminary data.
- PMET team will design new required course. PMET team met individually with teachers this summer gaining their views of mathematical needs of elementary teachers. PMET will meet this fall with PI to look at preliminary collected research data. PI and the classroom teachers have tried out several potential activities for inclusion in course redesign with audiences of preservice elementary and secondary teachers as well as practicing elementary teachers during the past spring and summer. Reflections and analysis will take place this fall. Fall schedule of meetings has yet to be established as all four members of the PMET team have changed jobs from last year.
- Reestablish math education seminar.This will take place during Phase II of the project.