Video Cases for Mathematics Professional Development
VCMPD

Director: Judith Mumme    (Senior Project Director) Contact: Judy Mumme Tel: 805.388.4415 Email: jmumme@wested.org

WestEd's video-based mathematics professional development resources help teachers in grades 5-10 address some of the "problems of practice" in teaching algebra. Developed over five years with funding from the National Science Foundation, the modules equip teachers with the skills to prepare and enact lessons that will help students develop conceptual understanding of linear functions. Rather than providing models to copy, these materials employ a case-based methodology to investigate mathematics, teaching, and learning that arise in real classroom situations -- and further, deepen teachers' understanding of linear functions. This brief clip provides an example of the nature of the video used for analysis in these materials. Materials are in CD-ROM format and consist of a total of 54 hours of professional development. There are five modules each focusing on one of the following: conceptualizing and representing linear relationships; using records of mathematical reasoning to help generalize; making use of student ideas during discussion; interpreting students methods and ideas; and launching lessons. Evaluation data from pilot efforts indicated a positive effect on teachers’ content knowledge, and a preliminary study demonstrated improvement in some teachers’ practice after only eight weeks. What resources are available? The videocase materials are available from Heinemann Publishers. Project staff are available to provide support to those who want to use materials for professional development, and potentials users are encouraged to request staff assistance. The videocase materials are being field-tested in preservice methods courses. It is anticipated that a preservice guide will be available soon.

What kind of Resources are available? Learning to Lead Mathematics Professional Development Designed for mathematics professional development leaders, this set of case-based leadership materials helps build facilitation skills, content knowledge, and pedagogy to design and implement effective staff development programs. This multimedia kit includes a user's guide, as well as 2 DVDs with 44 seminars arranged into 7 modules containing notes, video clips, participant work, PowerPoint slides, and much more. The modules focus on mathematics and facilitation skills, reflect research on adult learning, and model a community of practice. Unlike a typical guide for a specific professional development program, these materials focus on facilitation issues likely to be encountered in a variety of mathematics professional development situations including: Managing productive mathematical discussions Being mindful of equity issues in mathematics teaching Selecting appropriate mathematical tasks Deepening teachers' knowledge of mathematics This kit is ideal for those charged with supporting teacher leaders and others who lead mathematics professional development. Potential users include curriculum leaders, math-science partnership staff, university-district partnership staff, and mathematics teacher educators. WestEd staff members work with groups of leaders to help develop and refine their skills, sensibilities, and long-term capacities enabling them to design and implement quality mathematics professional development. A series of Leaders of Mathematics Professional Development seminars tailored to meet specific school, district, and project needs, can be designed to address groups of mathematics professional development leaders at any grade span K-12. These seminars are based on Learning to Lead Mathematics Professional Development materials.