Elementary, Early and Special Education

Center for Mathematics Education

Algebra Project || Math Resource Library || Math Library Database ||

SMART Program || Advisory Board ||

The Center for Mathematics Education is designed to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics of all children, youth, and adults. To accomplish this purpose the Center for Mathematics Education will engage in three simultaneous and interrelated activities. First, the center will directly impact the teacher development continuum from pre-service to beginning teacher induction and socialization into teaching and on through continued professional development. Second, the Center for Mathematics Education will promote and sustain an agenda of research designed to enhance the knowledge base of teaching and learning in mathematics education and to address problems of practice in teaching mathematics. Third, the Center for Mathematics Education will, through its activities, promote and enhance the learning of mathematics by all children and youth from preschool through graduate school by engaging in a coordinated outreach program touching schools and school districts throughout Indiana.
 

Purpose

The purpose of the Center for Mathematics Education, as noted above, is threefold: 

• To impact the teacher development continuum from pre service through continued professional development in the teaching of mathematics;

• To advance the knowledge base of the teaching of mathematics through research, inquiry, and solving of problems of practice; and

• To enhance the learning of mathematics for all children, youth, and adults.

Operationally, the Center for Mathematics Education will help teachers identify and develop their mathematical and pedagogical knowledge to help them become self-sufficient mathematics learners. The Center for Mathematics Education will employ innovative learning strategies, allowing teachers to see the value of these strategies in their own learning. Teachers will thus gain the mathematical and pedagogical knowledge to ensure all students become confident and creative mathematical thinkers. The Center for Mathematics Education will promote and conduct powerful research to guarantee that its strategies will meet the needs of all students. The Center for Mathematics Education's research will certify that the strategies impact not only teaching but also have a profound effect on student learning.
 

Vision

The Center for Mathematics Education recognizes the uniqueness of each teacher and each student. Given this fundamental belief, the Center for Mathematics Education will create an inclusive environment/culture of inquiry and collaboration in mathematics education among faculty from Indiana State University, teachers in the community and state, pre-service teacher education students, and stakeholder groups that are consumers of mathematics education, e.g. parents of school-aged children and youth, business leaders, and agency personnel, in order to strengthen the mathematics education of teachers and the children and youth they serve. This openness and sense of collaboration will establish and support ongoing collaborative inquiry and research, promote professional development for practicing teachers in mathematics education, provide a venue for addressing problems of practice in teaching mathematics through creative problem solving activities, and address concerns of communities, schools, businesses, and parents.
 

Goals

In order to meet the purpose and fulfill the vision for the Center for Mathematics Education, an agenda of robust, interactive goals is projected. While the goals are presented as standalone activities, they are designed to create a synergistic plan that allows action in one area to support and extend action in another.
 

To establish a library of mathematics manipulatives and resources for area teachers, university pre-service teachers, parents, and students. In order for teachers to be able to apply reform-oriented methods that will enhance the learning of all students, they must have access to worthwhile manipulatives and resources.

To launch a Web page for the Center for Mathematics Education where teachers, parents, members of the community, and students will have access to information and resources provided by the center.

To offer workshops and other professional development on current research and themes in mathematics education for teachers. The Center for Mathematics Education will sponsor presentations, seminars, and symposiums by nationally renowned mathematics educators and consultants. Further, the Center for Mathematics Education will sponsor best practices workshops and seminars by teachers currently in the teaching field.

To create a mathematics tutoring center for children in grades K-i 2, staffed by elementary and secondary pre-service teachers. This gives pre-service teachers more experience working with children while providing a valuable service to the community.

Co-Directors

Dr. Elizabeth Brown is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. She has a bachelor of science in applied mathematics from San Diego State University, a master of science in mathematics from the University of Utah, and a doctorate in teaching and learning with an emphasis in mathematics education from the University of Utah. She taught mathematics for two years to children in grades 4-9. Her expertise lies in teaching mathematics and mathematics methods to students and teachers using her innovative ideas for communicating mathematics concepts. She received the 2004 Educational Excellence Award from the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana State University. Brown can be reached at 812-237-3423 or by e-mail at mabrown@isugw.indstate.edu.

Dr. Elizabeth Jones is an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. She has bachelor of science and master of science degrees in mathematics from Brigham Young University and a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Utah. Jones has presented at many workshops; is a talented teacher of mathematics education; and is knowledgeable about curriculum, mathematics, and mathematics education. Her strengths include her broad view of mathematics, her ability to see the heart of the problem, attention to details, and organizational skills. Jones can be reached at 812-237-2137 or by e-mail at mathjone@isugw.indstate.edu.