Overview

Mathematical reasoning is an indispensable skill for the digital age, but many adult students fear and avoid math, limiting their future opportunities. According to Jo Boaler, “The fixed mindsets that many people hold about mathematics often combine with other negative beliefs about mathematics, to devastating effect.” (2015, p. ix) In order to change this trajectory, students need to examine these underlying beliefs and develop a growth mindset in mathematics.

In this workshop, you will experience an orientation and initial assessment developed to encourage a growth mindset in math. You will also have a chance to practice evaluating student responses to the tasks, so you will be ready to use or adapt the materials for your own classroom or program.

    Audience

    This professional development activity/course is designed for:

  • Teachers, coordinators, or directors involved in adult numeracy instruction. Practitioners at all levels of math comfort are encouraged to enroll.
Description

In this half-day workshop, you will learn how to implement a two-part math orientation and assessment protocol designed for adult education. The orientation is designed to encourage students to reflect on their beliefs and past experiences with math and to initiate them into a math classroom that emphasizes a growth mindset and the CCRSAE Standards for Mathematical Practice. The open-ended assessment tasks are designed to help students and teachers assess mathematical reasoning and disposition. You will have a chance to preview the orientation, try some of the assessment tasks, and see videos of the assessment in action in an adult education classroom. Finally, you will be challenged to reflect on your program’s orientation and assessment practices and how they can be used to promote a growth mindset in mathematics.

Participants will receive a copy of the Growth Mindset Orientation and the materials for the Foundational Math Assessment.

This workshop is 4 PD hours, plus a 30 minute lunch. To receive a certificate of completion, you must attend the entire face-to-face-session. For more information, please contact Sherry Soares (sherry_soares@terc.edu). 

    Learning Objectives

    Upon completion of this professional development activity/course, you will be able to:

  • Identify the beliefs, behaviors, and learning outcomes associated with a fixed versus a growth mindset
    Examine underlying beliefs that students bring with them to the math classroom, and how those affect behaviors and learning
    Reflect on the tacit messages students receive from their initial orientation and assessments into your program
    Experience a math orientation and assessment meant to encourage a growth mindset
    Practice assessing students’ understanding using the DEN (Describe, Evaluate, Next Steps) process
Presenter(s) / Facilitator(s)
Prerequisites

N/A

Date
05/22/2020 - 9:30 am to 05/22/2020 - 2:00 pm
Location

TERC
2067 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02140
United States

PD Center
SABES Mathematics and Adult Numeracy Curriculum and Instruction PD Center
Topic Area
Assessment
CCRSAE (College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education)
High School Equivalency (HiSET/GED)
Learning Disabilities / Differences
Mathematics and Adult Numeracy
PDP Eligible
No