Lesson Studies at UBC

  • Start Date: 10/16/2009
  • End Date: 04/24/2010
Speaker(s):

Sharon Friesen is co-founder and president of the Galileo Educational Network and an Associate Professor in Educational Leadership, Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary. Sharon's experience as a teacher includes kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high school. She consults on a wide range of teaching and learning topics related to curriculum reform and school improvement. Her research interests include curriculum theory, curriculum inquiry, professional development, mathematics education, instructional leadership, technology integration, and school reform. She has co-authored three books: Back to the Basics of Teaching and Learning: Thinking the World Together, winner of the 2004 AERA Division B Book Award; Curriculum in Abundance; and Back to the Basics of Teaching and Learning: Thinking the World Together (Second Edition). She has also assisted schools to assess their technology requirements to enhance teaching and learning environments. Sharon is a recipient of numerous awards for both research and teaching practice:

 

2007 Pacific Institute of Mathematical Sciences Math Educator of the Year;

2005 AERA Book Award for Curriculum Studies;

1999 The Alberta Teachers' Association, Educational Research Award;

1999 Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence;

1997 Aoki Award for educational research;

1996 ASCD Celebrating Educational Successes in Alberta award;

1994 National Institute Award for Technology Integration;

1991 Alberta Excellence in Teaching finalist.


Location: 

1933 West Mall, Room 216, UBC

Topic: 

Have you concerns with how well students will learn in the new curriculum with the focus on 'showing their knowing'? Join other teachers, consultants and mathematicians in tackling these concerns together, using lesson study as a medium for improving student learning.

Description: 

What are Lesson Studies?

"Lesson Studies", in various formats, have become popular in the teaching community as a means of professional development. The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) will offer a series of workshops closely modelled on the highly successful Lesson Studies conducted by the Galileo Educational Network of Calgary.  

What is special about them? 

1. Workshop Leaders - Each of them is led by a duo consisting of an experienced mathematician and a mathematical pedagogue. The role of the former is to ensure a sound mathematical basis, point out interesting connections, and fill in details where needed. That of the latter is to interpret the subject from a teacher's perspective and dovetail it with typical class room situations.

2. Mathematical Content - They have both structure and focus, but these are found interactively instead of being fixed in advance. The focus is agreed upon after a brief discussion of what the participants find most pressing and difficult for their classes. In this way, the discussions, explanations, and examples will concentrate on what is most important to participants. 

3. Pedagogical Content - They are truly collaborative and supportive, counteracting the personal isolation and curricular pressure, which in many cases prevent teachers from examining in depth what and how their students are learning, and how they could be helped to overcome hurdles. In the process, the teacher's own understanding and enjoyment are nurtured. 

4. Research Lesson Design - They provide opportunities for teachers to work together on creating curriculum-based research lessons, as they allow time for professional dialogue and support to develop, practice and critique new teaching methods. 

5. Publish and Share - Their collective insights will be made available to the wider teaching community via the Internet. It is imperative that local teachers have access to local examples of promising practices for their own use in discussion groups and exhibitions of student work.

Schedule:

WORKING SESSION #1, Oct 17 (9:00 to 12:00): Setting the Stage (Intended
outcome: identification of difficult concepts, what students have hard
time learning well. Lunch will be provided.)

Sharon Friesen**, from University of Calgary and Galileo Educational Network
(www.galileo.org) will be leading this session.
RSVP by Oct 14, email Melania Alvarez at melania@pims.math.ca

WORKING SESSION #2, Nov 21 (9:00 to 12:00): Lesson Planning (Intended
outcome: lesson(s) is/are built. Lunch will be provided.)

WORKING SESSION #3, Dec 12 (2:00 to 5:30) : Lesson implementation and Post
lesson discussion. Afterwards participants will be invited join us for a
celebration at a local pub. Dinner will be provided, but participants will
pay for their drinks.

WORKING SESSION #4, Jan 23 (9:00 to 12:00): Lesson Planning (Intended
outcome: lesson(s) is/are built. Lunch will be provided.)

WORKING SESSION #5, Mar 6 (2:00 to 5:30) : Lesson implementation and Post
lesson discussion. Afterwards participants will be invited join us for a
celebration at a local pub. Dinner will be provided, but participants will
pay for their drinks.

WORKING SESSION #6, Apr 24 (9:00 to 12:00): Reflection and Setting results
for publication. (Lunch will be provided.)

There may be an extra session if deemed needed.

Organizers: 

Melania Alvarez, UBC Education Coordinator
Tel. 604-822-0404
www.pims.math.ca