The course is offered for credit at Arcadia University and for P2PU School of Math Future completion certificate to anyone in the world (open and free). Overarching themes:
Personally meaningful and relevant mathematics achieved through projects, games, problem-posing and problem-solving.
Computer-based mathematics, including interactive simulations, modeling tools, solvers, and children programming platforms.
Lifelong learning for teachers, with the focus of online communities and networks for teacher support, and building your personal learning networks
Daily email:
http://groups.google.com/group/ed218arcadia
MATHEMATICAL FUTURE
Anyone can follow a course on P2PU. Participating is the next level of engagement. The sign-up is a space where interested individuals can express their interest and background in the topic and commit to working with the rest of the participants. Please answer the following set(s) of questions if you want to become a participant or organizer.
This set of signup questions is common to all study groups, courses, ... in P2PU. The answers to these questions will be public once you get accepted.
This set of signup questions is particular to this course. The answers to these questions will be public once you get accepted.
Welcome! Please answer ALL THREE items to become a member of the course:
Mind map of the submitted themes: http://mind42.com/pub/mindmap?mid=994691af-7ac0-42ac-b297-0279be4568fa
Bio:
hi everyone
GBU :)
Location: Mauritius
Standard Set Answer:1. first of all i'm a bit loss sometimes in math (not got a well basement in math) thats why i'm interested in this topic
2. i hope to start by the basement and achieve to the top of it
3. yes perhaps 
Bio:
I am a Home School Mom. I home school two teen sons. I want to change to being a follower. High school home school keeps me busy both on the road and at home. Thanks.
Location: NC
Standard Set Answer:I am very interested in early math education because it is the foundation for more complex math.
I hope to glean a better understanding of new ways to teach and learn math.
I am not interested in helping with course organization.
I was too ambitious when I first signed up. I have not been able to make time to respond to tasks. I respectfully would like to becomea follower so at some point I could read what others are sharing to help me come up with innovative ideas for family homeschool purposes only.
I really like this innovative course!
Bio:
I have been teaching over 40 years in mathematics for grades K-12 but my position for the last years in the area of Elementary Mathematics and using technology with mathematics. To me Math is alive and should be taught with understanding and how to apply what a child has learned to real problems. I would prefer that children understand before concepts are expected to be mastered.
Location: Newton, MA
Standard Set Answer:I believe that we are never finished in finding a great way of meeting the needs of teaching mathematics in the early years. I would love to find ways to share that would help my students be excited about learning math with feeling that math is just numbers to be memorized. Also to find ways for parents to understand how developing concepts is so important for each child's development in mathematics.
I am interested in helping with the course organization so I can discover other sources to help me learn how to work with my students and other teachers.
three themes about early mathematics
1) I am interested in different ways we can have children see geometry in their world and how it is related to their mathematics education.
2) Using technology with mathematics without using games as the main theme
3) Finding ways to have children make problem solving comfortable in their eyes.
Bio:
i love math a nd bffs!!!!!
Location: hOME
Standard Set Answer:-I was interested because i love math
-Algebra
-Maybe it depends..
Bio:
Location: West Yorkshire
Standard Set Answer:I love math and problem solving however forgotten so much from secondary school. Brushing and and learning something new.
Hi there,
I'm a first year university student studying Web Technologies. I hope to participate and contribute in multiple subjects :)
Bio:
Location:
Standard Set Answer:I am a homeschooling mother to 6 children and very active in scouting. Since I am in daily and weekly contact with 6 to 30+ kids, I thought that I would take some courses to help me become a better teacher and brush up on a few subjects.
I truly hope that my children will be life long learners. I should probably set the example.
Since teaching math to youngesters is a daily activity for me, I was hoping to learn new and better ways to present lessons so they retain more and are more engaged.
Themes:
I have a son that struggles with abstract concepts. Visualization and making math more hands on is something that I am very interested in.
Math vocabulary I think is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for my kids on standardized tests. I'd like to familar myself more throughly with the vocabulary.
Making math more fun and less intimidating. I think we have fostered this cultural fear of numbers. "I wasn't ever good in math." "When am I going to use this?" etc.
Bio:
Location:
Standard Set Answer:I'm frustrated by current math education system in the world! It's more calculating and memorizing!
I hope be inspired and make inspire other participants!
I'm always interested in helping!
I believe optimal mathematics learning occurs when students get the opportunity to explore the world of math on their own, but in a quasi-guided environment. When students actively construct things in the learning environment, it helps them greatly to build knowledge. Hands-on activities are an example, writing computer programs is an example, painting is an example. This new knowledge enables them to create ever more sophisticated solutions, yielding more skills, more knowledge, and more challenges in a self-reinforcing cycle.
New learning opportunities are provided in technological environments. Additionally, the visualization of mathematical concepts and exploring mathematics in ICT-based environments can improve their understanding in a new way.
Three themes:
Bio:
Location: El Paso,TX
Standard Set Answer:Life brings lots of questions like
What if I had continued with programming in college?
What if I could learn more about how to help troubled kids?
"What if" is one of my constant questions.
I have been in education for over 30 years and continue to look for ideas on how to help youngsters in learning math. I am one that knows that hands on will help all students so manipulatives will assist greatly with teaching math. As an undergrad, my minor was in math and I should have taken more courses in math because math can be related to anything and math is everywhere. I love to teach and enjoy seeing students eyes with they finally catch on to what is being taught. I enjoy working and mentoring young students and asking them thinking questions.
In reference to themes, first I believe wholeheartedly in having items that students can visually see or handle. This means that first manipulatives should be on hand for all students. Next, technology should be on hand to give visual examples of what is being taught. Mathematics is a language on its own and I think that using proper mathematical vocabulary when teaching youngsters is a definite requirement.
Bio:
Hi,
My name is Kathy Cianciola. I live with my husband Bob and our six year-old son Gil. It takes me about a half hour to get to Arcadia from where I live in Northest Philadelphia. I started my degree in art education years ago at Montclair State University; in fact it's been so long that I've since decided to switch from art/ education to early childhood/ special education. I had difficulty with mathematics in high school, but a few years ago I took a math course at Montclair State University, and found it to be extremely interesting.
Location: Philadelphia
Standard Set Answer:I'm interested in acquiring more knowledge in the field of mathematics, so that I can effectively teach my future students math skills. I had difficulty learning math in school, so hopefully I can offer help to other students who are struggling. The online environment is completely new to me, so I will be learning as I go. When I begin to feel more comfortable perhaps I can help organize.
In recent years I have used math while I working as a custom picture framer, but as a student I had considerable trouble with algebra. In third grade when we were supposed to be learning our multiplication tables my teacher was absent a lot, and we had many substitutes. This was quite detrimental to my early comprehension of mathematics. What I care about most is offering students the help that I didn't have.
I think that younger children benefit from practicing and completing number patterns and number lines, less than & more than, and counting by 2s, 5s, and by 10s.
Bio:
Location:
Standard Set Answer:I'm very interested in Early Childhood Education and am also considering adding it as a Minor to my History Major, so not only did this course fulfill some of my requirements, but it also is something I'm interested in. I'm hoping this course will help me to decide whether Early Education is a Minor I'd be interested in. I, however, am not interested in helping with the course organization because my schedule is already completely jam-packed!
I am currently a Sophomore at Arcadia University. Although I am a History Major, I have a strong interest in Early Childhood Education and am considering taking it on as a Minor. I currently work as a teacher's assistant at a Pre-School/Kindergarten in Langhorne, PA. Through my job, I am lucky enough to get a lot of first-hand experience with the education of children, ages 5 months-6 years.
I have several themes about early mathematics that I feel are relevant to the education of children in the math field. However, these are three that I feel most prominent that I have developed on my own:
1. Math problems should be approached from a visual perspective. I think using blocks, balls, fruit, candy, etc, to literally SHOW that 5 - 3 = 2 is a great way to help students understand mathematical concepts.
2. Some students, however, are more auditory than visual. Therefore, math problems should be written on paper (as opposed to displayed with three-demensional objects) as well as talked through, step - by - step.
3. A lot of children are also kinesthetic learners. Incorporating physicality into learning is a great way to keep the interest of the students as well as appealing to kinesthetic learners.
Bio:
Location: Illinois, USA
Standard Set Answer:I'm interested in this course because I thoroughly enjoyed the Moebius Noodles group last year. Also, our homeschool group is heavy with little ones, and I'd like to collect a few ideas for working with them. And someday, perhaps, I'll get grandkids...
"Are you interested in helping with the course organization?" No, I'm already overextended. I intend primarily to lurk.
About me: I am a homeschooler, math co-op class teacher, sometimes tutor, and write the "Let's Play Math!" blog.
Three of my recurring themes about early mathematics:
1-- Oral story problems: taking turns making them up, so the child gets to give problems to the adult. This provokes conversation about math and helps prevent word problem phobia.
2-- Early algebra: "mystery numbers" or "secret numbers" as an extension of the oral story problems. I wrote about both of these ideas on my blog.
3-- Trying to discourage parents from drilling math facts in early elementary school, because I think a too-early focus on rote memory discourages students from developing number sense, from playing around with the numbers until they become familiar friends. I haven't been too successful with this idea, though. Many homeschoolers seem to think elementary math = math facts. I wrote about this a bit in my article on number bonds (and quite a bit more in various homeschool forum posts, where I'm usually ignored).
Bio:
Sophmore at Arcadia University, majoring in Early Childhood/Elementary Education with certification in Special Ed.
Location: Glenside, PA
Standard Set Answer:This is a required course for my major, but I've always been interested in teaching math to young children. As a prospective teacher, I'll be providing the foundations of math, and I need to know the tips and tricks of teaching younger generations.
I hope to understand how young children comprehend numbers and how I can help. I'd like to learn how to support children as they explore math concepts, and keep the process comfortable. I'm interested in fun, quirky ways of teaching, and how to keep the kids engaged.
I probably wouldn't be the best candidate to help with course organization, given my busy student schedule.
1. Done!
2. I'm a sophmore at Arcadia University, studying Education. I've had a lot of experience with children, through babysitting, fieldwork, and internships. I'm excited to begin this course and expand my knowledge of how to teach math!
3. Teaching Time -My 11 year old sister still doesn't know how to read an analog clock, and I'm wondering if there's a certain way to teach the process of telling time. I'm interested in any unique activities that would help my students understand time and other units of measurement.
Math & Technology -My generation is known for how tech-savvy we all are. I'm interested in the types of programs and activities that young children could use on the computer. I remember fun games from my childhood that helped me learn addition and multiplication, so I'm wondering what's available right now.
Teaching Math through Art -Children are incredibly creative, so I'm sure there are a lot of opportunities through math. I'm interested in the types of lessons I could have that would really have my students engaged in something artsy, to the point where they don't even realize they're learning math. I'm wondering what math needs to be taught, and which would be appropriate to be done through art.
Bio:
I am a mathematics teacher at a public high school in New Jersey, and am in my 13th year of teaching. I originally was a physicist, but left the world of research because I realized my interest was in explaining and trying to motivate, rather than in being in a laboratory. I've taught math and physics in public schools in New York City and New Jersey, and have worked with all levels of high school students.
I blog at http://hyperbolicguitars.blogspot.com.
Location: New Jersey, USA.
Standard Set Answer:I'm interested in the topic because I want to learn more about how young children learn mathematics, but specifically....
My real interest is due to my daughter, who is 6 1/2 right now. She seems to really like math, without any pushing from me, and it comes fairly easily to her. I am worried that the wheels of conventional education are going to grind that interest out of her as she goes on, and I want to do whatever I can to prevent that from happening.
I don't think I will have time to help with the organization of the course.
Three themes that I care about:
1) Maintaining kids' interest in, and developing their understanding of, mathematics in their daily lives as they move through their school experience.
Bio:
Location:
Standard Set Answer:What made you interested in this topic?
I am currently an undergrad at Arcadia taking courses to become and Early elementary and Special Education teacher. I am interested in this course because I believe it will prepare me and provide ways of teaching math to my future students.
What do you hope ot achieve by particpating?
Iam hoping that this course will show me a different way of teaching math and a different way of thinking of the subject.
Are you interested in helping with the course organization?
I don't believe I will have time to help out.
Hi. I am Carolyn and am a sophomore at Arcadia University pursing a degree in Prek-4 and Special Ed K-8. I am taking this class as part of my degree and am a little nervous as I have never taken an online course before.
Themes
1. Problem solving skills-As a student I was always into problem solving but struggled with word problems. I am interetsed to find out new ways and techniques to problem solving as it is a skill that is needed in other subject areas along with math.
2. Patterns- I have always been interested in patterns and as a student tried to find other ways to come up with the same answers. I believe math has so many patterns and there is not always one way to get to the answer.
3. Learning through play-With many early childhood classes, we are taught about learning through play. However I am interested to see how children can learn through play with math.
Bio:
I am a current student myself, and mom to a soon-to-be homeschooled 14 year old girl. We live on a farm in Colorado, kind of remote, so the internet and on-line learning are our way to connect with the wider world around us.
Location: Colorado
Standard Set Answer:My daughter was a child who loved math. She begged for math problems and everything was numbers for her...until she was about 12. Then, she kind of bogged down...math as taught at her public school no longer thrilled her and now she struggles...and thinks she hates math. I am interested in how to recover that little girl who loved to count, how to show her that she can indeed still do math. I don't think she is the problem...
By participating here, I hope to learn how to help her...how to enrich her math skills (and mine).
I would be happy to help with the course organization in any way I can...let me know what is needed.
I am not a mathematical person. That is what I have always thought...been led to believe. But wait. I do math everyday, don't I? I can double recipes, figure out the gestation periods for a variety of farm animals, determine whether or not a prospective new couch will fit in my living room...and I can pass college-level classes involving an awful lot of mathematical concepts. So why do I feel like a math idiot? And how can I keep my child from ending up in the same boat? These are the questions I want to explore.
The themes I would most like to explore - and even though my child is now older (14), I do think these are themes of early mathematics - are: What causes children to lose interest in math? How can we improve our teaching techiques and educational materials so that doesn't happen? And, how can we get kids who have lost interest back on track and appreciating math learning?
Bio:
Location: Glenside, Pennsylvania
Standard Set Answer:I am studying to become an elementary teacher and do not have much exerpience in teaching math. I am interested in learning different ways of making math fun for students.
I hope through this course I will learn the skills that will allow me to keep my students engaged in math and to help those students who are struggling the most.
I don't think I have enough time to help out with the course organization.
My name is Carolyn Lesser and I am currently a junior at Arcadia University. I am studying Elementary Education and will be doing my student teaching next Spring. I really enjoy working with students so I am excited for this class to help me improve my teaching skills in math.
Themes:
1. Measurement- I always struggled with measurement as a child and would love to learn teqniques to help my students.
2. Math through play- Kids like to play so what better way to learn anything than through play?
3. Problem solving skills- How do we develop these kinds of skills in young students and help those skills to grow as they get older?
Bio:
Mom of three kids. Founder of math circle. Love Russian poetry and write it, too.
Location: Rockville, MD
Standard Set Answer:I have been interested in pedagogy and child development since I was a child myself. I just love to think about this.
I hope to learn more ideas and to meet new like-minded people.
Yes, I am interested in helping with the course.
1. Done
2. I am a mom of three young kids, including one with severe math disability, and two who do extremely well in math. I graduated from magnet math school in Russia, with an equivalent of AS in math and science education, and later got my MS in aerospace research. For over 7 years I worked as an astronaut instructor, developing both lecture curriculum and hands-on training, and later as a math and science teacher in several private and public schools across the country. I found the educational system to be too unflexible, and founded a math circle for my kids and their friends. The website is here: www.artofinquiry.net
3. Three themes I care about:
a. Problem solving skills
b. Out of the box thinking
c. Environments that foster thinking
Bio:
Student, interested in bioinformatics and medical technology
Location: Europe
Standard Set Answer:Even if I'm too young to have my own children,
I'm interested to how can I teach them in future subject which is often neglected in public education and is often treated as boring etc.
Bio:
I'm from Atlanta, Georgia and this is my 4th year at Arcadia as an undergrad. I changed my major from Psychology to Elementary Ed last year because I enjoy being in front of students teaching.
Location: Glenside, PA
Standard Set Answer:It's a requirement for my Elementary Ed major and Math has always been one of my favorite subjects so I'm excited to be in this class.
I hope that I get a better understanding of Elementary Mathematics and be able to keep students engaged while teaching.
I don't think I have enough time to be able to help with the course organization.
Themes:
1) Patterns: Being able to look at object and notice the similar and different pattern sequence.
2) Math play: Learning math through activites. I learn things better when I'm doing a game or making an engaging activity out it.
3) Shapes: There are so many different and unique shapes ( out there with names that I have a hard time remembering :P haha.
Bio:
Location: USA
Standard Set Answer:I am currently homeschooling my children and find that math is not only intersting but has a direct relationship to everything they see or do. It wasn't somethign I thought about before and now I see a huge possiblity in hands-on math in real life context as well as through games.
I hope that by participating I can expand my knowledge of this area and incorporate that knowledge into lessons for my children.
Yes, I would be happy in helping wtih course organization as I have several years of online course development and facilitation.
1. I joined the Google Group!
2. I am April Hayman and I am an instructional designer and have worked for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), Performance Learning Systems, and others. Additionally, I am a certified Peer Reviewer for Quality Matters and am pursuing my PhD in Education, Educational Technology at Walden University (on hiatus on the moment, though).
I am also a full time mom of three boys (I, Big J, and Little J) and wife of 12 years to B. I currently consult on instructional design projects from the sunny High Desert of CA as well as homeschool our three boys. After all, who better than to help them learn than someone who already trains teachers, right? Right!
Personally, I truly believe that technology and digital age skills are important for our students to learn. I maintain that children as well as adults will need these skills today and tomorrow to succeed in an increasingly digital world. I explore the issues of learning in a digital world, course design, online learning, and homeschooling through my two blogs, Living the Digital Life 24/7 and ID Loves EdTech. I will most likely be cross-posting to both blogs for this course.
3. My themes are:
Practical application - What are the uses of numbers in real life? Children always want to know why and I believe that we teach the mechanics but not the reasoning.
Learning through play - How much can we rely on play to teach a concept? I would like to explore the idea of using play rather than rote memorization of facts. Can we use play to enhance learning or does rote memorization play a critical part in learning math facts?
History of Math - After watching the Story of One with my children, I realized that math is much more than just figures and facts. It is deeply tangled with history and the lives of mathematicians that can be used as a jumping off point for learning new concepts.
