Artifact # 10
NCCTM Math Conference- designed to provide teachers of all grade levels with resources and innovative ideas for teaching mathematics more effectively in their classrooms
Context
I attended the NCCTM (North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics)
Conference on October 6, 2000. I was made aware of the Conference
opportunity by my Math Methods teacher at ASU. The Conference provided
me with a variety of ideas on how to integrate Mathematics with other subjects
in an elementary classroom. I attended a workshop on integrating
Math and Literature, while at the conference. I also viewed the numerous
vendor booths at the conference, which offered resources and ideas for
implementing manipulatives and other math tools into a Mathematics Curriculum.
Impact
This Math Conference would be very useful for teachers seeking instructional
ideas for their classroom mathematics programs. The Conference is
sponsored and provided by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Teachers who teach only Mathematics as well as teachers of all subjects
can benefit from this conference provided by their state. A particularly
helpful resource provided by this Conference was the technological resource
ideas (computer software programs, math tools such as calculators, etc.)
that could be used to promote the learning of students with learning deficiencies.
Math is often known as the “universal language”. Often students whose
primary language is not English have difficulty in learning subjects, because
they have difficulty understanding the teacher’s verbal instruction. Math
often bridges the learning gap of ESL (English as a second language) students,
as numbers are universally understandable. The software programs
and calculators, displayed at the conference, would provide teachers with
effective ways to involve ESL and learning disabled students in classroom
learning experiences.
Alignment
This Math Conference provides teachers with a state-supported resource
that enables them to have access to instructional ideas and materials that
will benefit their students’ learning. The Conference provides such
resources that incorporate technological tools to meet the learning needs
of students who may not learn traditionally (Tech.
Competency 13.4). An example of the types of technological
resources, available at the conference, that could be used to better meet
the learning needs of diverse learners, is a calculator that enables ESL
students to utilize their knowledge of numbers to connect their own language
and learning background with that of the English language and learning
styles (Tech. Competency 13.3).
The NCCTM Math Conference was a way for me to better my knowledge of student
and teacher resources. I became more aware of the types of technological
and other resources that I might use in my future classroom to better student
understanding of mathematical ideas and concepts. The types of resources
available to encourage the learning of ESL and diverse learners at the
conference were very helpful to view (INTASC
#9).