The 2008 Michigan NExT Symposium 





Date:
Thursday, May 1
Location:
Grand Valley State University
DEV 109D, DeVos Center, Grand Rapids Campus
Time:
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Theme and Format:
This year our focus will be on issues pertaining to Mathematics Education. 
The format will consist of 20 minute presentations given by participants to help
stimulate a broader discussion amongst the group.  Here is the tentative schedule.


Schedule


2:45 to 3pm - Snacks and finger food

3pm - Welcome and introductions

3:15 - Theme 1 "What have been your experiences in mathematics education..."

Title:  Reflections on Two Recent Experiences Teaching Future Math Teachers (Amy Hlavacek, SVSU)
Topic:  The two experiences I've recently had were teaching "Math for Elementary School Teachers" for the first time, and delivering workshops for middle school teachers for the Regional Mathematics and Science Center at SVSU.  Although the audiences for these two teaching experiences were quite different, I identify common themes that have emerged out of these experiences.  I will also reflect on the effect of recent legislation on middle school teachers.

4:00 - Theme 2 "Educational standards and their implications for ALL who teach..." (Ruth Hodges, MI Dept of Education)

Title:  Michigan Merit Curriculum: misconceptions, corrections, and implications
Topic: There seems to be a lot of misconceptions out there regarding the MMC, especially the idea of credit based on proficiency as well as the effect
of the MMC on gifted students.  In this talk I will try to address these misconceptions, discuss implications for teacher preparation, discuss the huge implications for K- 8 teachers (especially middle school teachers), and discuss the issues raised by the insistence by parents and districts that universities want to see the traditional courses listed on their transcript.  Related to the last point is that students may be penalized if they have integrated or non- traditional mathematics courses listed.

4:45 - Break

5:00 - Theme 3 "What do our future teachers really need to know..." (Paul Yu, GVSU)

Title: Mathematics Knowledge, Pedagogical-Content Knowledge, and Mathematics Knowledge Necessary to Teach
Topic:  While it is widely accepted that mathematical content knowledge and pedgogical knowledge is necessary for teachers of school aged children (K-12).  However, recently researchers in mathematics educations are beginning to identify a new construct of knowledge, mathematics knowledge necessary to teach.  In this talk I will give a brief overview of these recent developments and their implications for teacher educators.





Call for Talks:  Colleagues interested in giving a 20-minute talk on a topic pertaining to mathematics education at the 2008 Michigan NExT Symposium should contact Mark Pearson (pearson@hope.edu) and Paul Yu (yupaul@gvsu.edu) no later than Friday, April 11.

Registration:  We ask that colleagues who are planning to attend the symposium (but not give a talk) please email Mark Pearson (pearson@hope.edu) and Paul Yu (yupaul@gvsu.edu) no later than Friday, April 18, to register for the symposium.  In your email correspondence, please indicate whether you will be able to stay for the complementary dinner for symposium participants provided by the Michigan MAA and Michigan NExT.



The Ninth Annual Michigan NExT Symposium will be held at Grand Valley State University on the afternoon of Thursday, May 1, 2008, in conjunction with the 2008 Section Meeting (May 2-3 at GVSU).  The symposium will address issues of importance to new faculty, such as developing successful teaching and assessment strategies, mentoring undergraduate research projects, planning new courses and selecting texts, and balancing the responsibilities of an academic career.  This year's topic will be on "Mathematics Education."  One aspect of most, if not all mathematics departments, is teaching future mathematics teachers.  From service course for future elementary education teachers to upper level content course for future secondary mathematics teachers departments and faculty are inundated with a myriad of curricular and instructional issues.  As we engage this important topic, we look forward to broad participation from faculty across the state to discuss the diverse nature of this issue.   Co-organizers Mark Pearson (Hope C) and Paul Yu (GVSU) are currently soliciting suggestions for specific discussion items and speakers (self-nominations welcome) for this year's symposium theme. 

As plans for this year's  symposium unfold, information will be posted on this website (http://math.hope.edu/pearson/minext.html).

Michigan NExT is a forum for pre-tenure faculty who have a strong commitment to teaching undergraduate mathematics, although all faculty are invited to attend the symposium.  To become involved in Michigan NExT, or to nominate a speaker for this year's symposium, please contact Mark (pearson@hope.edu) or Paul (yupaul@gvsu.edu).




Hope College + Mathematics Department + PO Box 9000 + Holland, MI + 49422-9000
math.hope.edu/pearson + pearson@hope.edu
phone 616.395.7522 + fax 616.395.7123