How can I learn more about teaching Math?

 Back To Math Site Home Page

Obviously, there is many ways to learn about teaching math.  See the essay, “What are some good resources about teaching math?” for some good books you can read. We will continue to offer professional development opportunities as well, but one of the best ways I am aware of is to take advantage of some excellent on-line professional development opportunities that are available for free.  I was really surprised by the quality of these videos and the on-line workshops.

• See how the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards are used in elementary classrooms across America. Elementary teachers tap the excitement and energy of children from kindergarten through grade 4 as they solve problems, learn to make connections between concepts, and communicate and reason mathematically. Teaching Math K-4 documents effective teaching and learning in many schools: small, large, rural, suburban, and inner city.  This video library for K-4 math teachers consists of 52 video programs (from 15 to 30 minutes in length) and guide.

• See real middle school teachers incorporating the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards into their lessons, while learning as much about teaching as their students do about math. The programs demonstrate how teachers guide and assess student understanding, and offer strategies for keeping students motivated and engaged at this critical age. This video library for grade 5-8 math teachers consists of 6 fifteen-minute video programs and guide.

This is only two of the FREE on-line courses you can take advantage of from your own computer.  These are very high-level professional development and consist of video, print, and Web components that can be used for group sessions or on your own. Video programs are available as Video on Demand on the Web site. Print guides are downloadable in PDF format.

• With the Teaching Math, Grades K–2 and Grades 3-5 online courses, in-service teachers will gain a greater understanding of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Process Standards and find effective ways to apply the standards in the classroom and integrate them with content goals. Each course consists of six three-and-a-half hour sessions, presented entirely online through text, illustrations, animations, video programming, and interactive activities. Course participants are prompted to reflect on their learning through questions and journal opportunities.

Visit the Annenberg Media home page for a complete listing of available workshops and courses.