Access to the course is June 4 to July 3, 2002 at http://www.nau.edu/webct

This is an informational overview.

You must be registered for the course to have access to the syllabus and course pages beginning June 4. Students cannot gain access to the course without a DANA account.

Do the WebCT tutorial. (author Paul Alley) You may want to print out some of the instructions you find there if you are not familiar with the WebCT format for navigating the course .

Northern Arizona University Center for Excellence in Education ECI 643 Modern elementary School Mathematics	The mission of The Center for Excellence in Education at Northern Arizona University is to prepare education professionals to create the schools of tomorrow.
Summer 2002 General Information Instructor: Sherry Markel, Ph.D.

Phone: 523-6166 (o) email : Sherry.Markel@nau.edu
Office: Room 207A
Credit Hours: 3 Class Hours: Internet

Course Prerequisites: None

Catalog Description
Problems faced in the field of arithmetic approached through study of research and current trends and issues.

Course Description
This course will examine some of the challenging issues facing mathematics educators today. Use of the course web site, relevant URLs, readings, and virtual conference will provide a forum for seminar discussions. Global comparisons with local contexts are encouraged. Students will gain mathematics instructional tools for immediate use in their own classrooms as well as a better understanding of the enactment of the NCTM Standards within our statewide, local context.

Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:
· identify critical issues and problems facing mathematics educators today
· integrate the NCTM Standards within their own lesson planning and teaching
· set up learning environments conducive to mathematical learning
· become familiar with the current issues in mathematics education in the state of Arizona
· formulate strategies to successfully work with the challenges facing mathematics educators today

Required Text
(1997). Guiding Children's Learning of Mathematics, 9th Edition.Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co. ISBN 0-534-54955-1

Course Structure/Approach
These objectives will be accomplished through
o Web class format
o Asynchronous discussion forum
o Research paper
o Reading of required text, articles, outside readings

Topics to be discussed include:
· Teaching Problem Solving Strategies
· Using Manipulatives for instructional enhancement
· Effective Classroom practices
· Technology in the mathematics classroom
· Mathematical Investigations
· Assessment and evaluation in elementary school mathematics
· Student self-assessment
· Goals 2000
· AIMS testing
· Early childhood mathematics
· Teaching the operations
· Measurement
· Data analysis - making sense of the numbers
· Communication and math

**Do the WEBCT TUTORIAL (author Paul Alley)before you begin the course work. **

5 Weeks - 15 Class Modules total

I. WEEK 1 (June 4 to June 9)

Module 1. Introductions & Math Today in Elementary Grades :
1. Text: Read Chap. 1 pgs. 3-21.
2. Answer Response Questions - Assignment page - send as email attachment to instructor.
3. Post to the Discussion Forum (Discussion Area of Course) for week 1 item a minimum of 3 X a week. First posting is a short bio. Introducing yourself to the rest of the class and then a response to the prompt questions. Second and third postings are responses to other student postings.

Module 2. NCTM: Improving Instruction.
1. READ:* NCTM Statement of Beliefs, Panel Reports, and Improving Instruction articles
2. Answer Response Questions - Assignment page - send as email attachment to instructor

Module 3. Math Basics
1. READ: Text: Chap. 2, pgs. 23-79.
*Article- (1)Time to solve the math education equation
2. Work on research paper, journal articles, and child's book integration.

Module 4. Foundations for Effective Instruction
1. READ: Text, Chap. 3 pgs. 83-109
*articles: (1)Why Write? (2)Using Writing. (3)Writing as a Tool
2. Post to the Discussion Forum a minimum of 3X a week

I1. WEEK 2 (June 10 to June 16)

Module 5. Implementing an Effective Mathematics Program
1. READ: Text: Chap. 4 pgs. 111-139.
*article: (1) Assessing for Learning: How do you evaluate problem solving?
2. Post to the Discussion Forum for Week 2 item
Module 6. Integrated Assessment
1. READ: Text, Chap. 5. pgs. 141-183.
*article: (1) Manipulatives don't come with guarantees (2) Curriculum: A vision for early childhood mathematics.

Module 7. Number Concepts & Systems
1. READ: Text, Chap. 6 pgs. 187-249
*article: (1) What is Number Sense? & 7 Ways to Build it
2. Work on research paper, journal articles, and child's book integration.

Module 8. (Mid Term) Teaching Addition & Subtraction
1. Midterm - Exam Section of Course
2. READ: Text, Chap. 7, pgs. 251-303
3. Post Child's book review & math extension lesson idea using this book to the Discussion Forum

III. WEEK 3 (June 17 to June 23)

Module 9. Teaching Multiplication & Division
1. READ: Text, Chap. 8, pgs. 305-351.
2. Post first journal article review to the Discussion Forum

Module 10. Geometric Concepts & Systems
1. READ: Text, Chap. 9, pgs. 353-397.
2. Answer Response Questions - Assignment page - send as email attachment to instructor
3. Post to the Discussion Forum a minimum of 3X a week
4. Work on research paper and journal articles.

IV. WEEK 4 (June 24 to June 29)

Module 11. Fractional Numbers for Grades K-4.
1. READ: Text, Chap. 10, pgs. 399-441.
2. Post lesson plan - Teaching to the NCTM Standards - to Discussion Forum
3. Post to the Discussion Forum a minimum of 3X a week
4. Work on research paper and journal articles.

Module 12. Fractional Numbers for Grades 5 & 6
1. READ: Text, Chap. 11, pg. 443-489

Module 13. Measurement - what is it and why do we teach it and how?
1. READ: Text, Chap. 12, pgs. 491-549
3. Post second journal article review to the Discussion Forum

V. WEEK V (June 30 - July 3)
Module 14. Data & Chance (or What do the numbers mean?
1. READ: Text, Chap. 13, pgs. 551-586.
3. Post synopsis of Research Paper to the Discussion Forum
4. Email research paper to instructor as either a Microsoft Word document or as a plain text document (.txt)
5. Post to the Discussion Forum a minimum of 3 X a week.

Module 15. Current Issues in Arizona
1. Review state math standards on AZ. Dept. of Education
3. FINAL - Exam Section of course
Course Requirements

Class participation is required. Participation is defined as relevant and consistent contribution. Within an on line web course, participation includes sending in assignments when due and active participation in the discussion forum three times a week.

Reading assignments: Read the text and other assignments prior to the class session on each topic. You are responsible for all reading assignments.

Assignments/Activities: Do NOT go ahead. Each assignment is aligned with a particular topic each week and discussion forum topics will include these assignments. This is not a correspondence course. It is a seminar course with current discussions each week. The only assignment that is an exception to this rule is the research paper. You may turn this in to the instructor at any time prior to the due date.

DUE DATES of assignments are included in this syllabus. You have an assigned week to complete each set of assignments for the week. If you are not clear on any assignment requirements, please ask your instructor! Send email question via WebCT email.

Examinations: Two examinations will be given on the dates in the class schedule. These will be primarily essay. Exams will cover materials in the readings and from virtual conference forum discussions and group project postings. Each is worth 50 points.


Evaluation Methods
Grading: Grades will be based on completion of weekly competencies and participation in class, as well as successful completion of all assignments, exams and projects. Final course evaluation is based on completion of the following:

Activity #1 - Completion of Weekly Reading Response Questions 27 pts.
Activity #2- Participation in discussion forum every week (5 pts each week)25 pts.
Activity #3 - Child's book review & extension lesson idea 18 pts. (post in Discussion Forum)
Activity #4 - Lesson plan incorporating NCTM Standards 20pts. (Post in Discussion Forum)
Activity #5 - 2 Journal Article Reviews (10 pts. Each) 20 pts. (Post in Discussion Forum)
Activity #6 - Research Paper 20 pts. (Email to instructor and post synopsis in Discussion Forum)
Exam #1 Mid Term 25 pts.
Exam #2 Final 20 pts.

TOTAL POINTS - 175

Final Grade:
A..........92%-100% of all possible points
B..........84%-91% of all possible points
C..........76%-83% of all possible points
D..........69%-75% of all possible points
F..........less than 69% of all possible points

Child's Book Review & Extension Math Lesson Idea
1. You may choose any children's story book (K-8 level)

Post to Discussion Forum:
2. List title, author, publisher
3. Briefly summarize the content of the story.
4. Provide a BRIEF lesson idea (not a plan) showing how you would teach a mathematical concept from this book.

2 Journal Article Reviews (ANY math journal)
1. At least one but not more than two articles may be taken from the Internet

Post to the Discussion Forum:
2. Include the title, author, date and source. (if from Internet, include URL)
3. In one paragraph summarize what the article was about
4. In second paragraph describe its impact on the math teaching in your classroom
5. In a third and final paragraph, give your personal, editorial reaction to this article.
6. Keep it succinct. No one wants to read more than one screenful of text at a time.
7. Topic MUST relate to the grade level you are teaching.

Lesson Plan incorporating NCTM Standards *This assignment can be completed earlier by student choice.

Post to the Discussion Forum:
1. Format of YOUR choice but should include instructional objectives and how you plan to meet them and how you will know that you did.
2. NCTM Standard focus of your choice
3. Be sure to include target grade(s) level

Research Paper *This assignment can be handed in earlier by student choice
1. Any mathematics instructional topic of your choice - send topic to instructor by end of first week.
2. 5 pages in length 1.5 to 2 lines spacing
3. Bibliography (APA Style) (Library Link for APA Style Information), -at least 4 sources.
4. Must include at least one URL for source material
5. Sent as an email attachment (ms word .doc OR plain text .txt) to instructor via WebCT email.
6. A short synopsis posted to virtual conference under the research paper item.
No more than 2 paragraphs: 1) What did you learn? 2) Why do you think this is important to you as a mathematics teacher? 3) Post the URL you found that pertained to this topic.
7. * Alternative methods of posting on the virtual conference may include a Power Point presentation or a URL to a web page of your own devising on the topic displaying what you learned from your research.

Virtual Conference Participation
This component is extremely critical to your learning opportunities in this course. Remember "netiquette" and share your knowledge and opinions but don't fill more than one full screen with your text with each response. Succinctness is a virtue in a text based environment.
Each week there will be a item number that will correspond to each module number. Your job is to do your first posting as a response to the prompt questions for that week. Each of your subsequent postings for that week should be a response to another student's posting. You should respond to at least THREE other student postings each week.

Course Policies
1. You must log on and participate in the virtual conference at least three times a week and respond to at least three other student postings each week.
2. If you are unable to take the exam at the regularly scheduled time, the instructor should be contacted prior to the exam.
3. All assignments must be typed or completed on a word processor. Writing errors, such as spelling, punctuation, grammatical errors, etc., will be taken into consideration and may lower the grade. All assignments should be professional in appearance, such as you would submit to your principal or other employer.
4. Make a copy of every assignment before you submit it to the instructor.
5. Assignments should be submitted on the due date to receive full credit. The research paper assignment may be turned in earlier than the due date.
6. Plagiarism is a willful act when a person knowingly uses the work of others and attempts to present it as his/her own. This obviously cannot be permitted. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on tests or lying about the work involved in class. If an individual engages in these activities I reserve the right to use all appropriate measures at my disposal to correct the situation. The policy in the NAU Student Handbook may be applied.