Are you interested in creating a student-centered learning environment promoting effective student discourse?
Are you open to examining your own beliefs about effective teaching strategies?
Are you looking for a support group of peers and other mathematics education leaders?
Are you willing to try out new classroom techniques?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, we invite you to participate in FOCI Series 1.
This FOCI series is designed for higher education mathematics faculty members.
Deepening Student Understanding:
Promoting effective student discourse through active and collaborative learning
This introductory FOCI series consists of six sessions exploring the principles and strategies behind student-centered learning. Unlock the power of discourse and collaboration for your students. Analyze questioning techniques that facilitate mathematics sense-making. Examine strategies for establishing and maintaining a safe and productive learning environment. Investigate assessment of students’ individual and collaborative work and support students in self-assessment.
Explore our complete FOCI offerings.
...although I came into this professional development opportunity with knowledge of active learning, I was able to increase my knowledge as well as the productivity of my students through new and inventive ways.
Session-by-Session Outcomes
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Session 1: Establishing a Culture of Student-Centered Learning
- Establish a safe, participant-centered learning environment for the cohort.
- Set goals for participation and growth during this professional learning series.
- Examine the literature on the characteristics and benefits of student-centered learning.
- Explore characteristics of a safe and effective active classroom culture.
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Session 2: Promoting Discourse Through Multiple Problem-Solving Strategies
- Examine the role of validating multiple problem-solving strategies in creating a learning culture.
- Develop a short list of “pocket” questions that can be used to respond to various collaborative learning situations.
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Session 3: Questioning Techniques to Promote Deep, Connected Learning
- Discuss the role of questioning in producing and supporting active learning.
- Develop questioning skills to facilitate mathematics sense-making.
- Explore the characteristics of connected learning.
- Develop skills to identify and embed connections when lesson planning.
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Session 4: Managing an Effective Student-Centered Learning Environment
- Develop intervention skills that keep groups functioning and engaged in mathematical discussions.
- Examine techniques for using collaboration to achieve closure.
- Identify ways to use the challenges of collaboration as tools to move forward.
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Session 5: Assessment in a Collaborative Classroom
- Identify benefits and challenges of assessing group and individual performance in a collaborative setting.
- Explore specific examples of assessment and self-assessment.
- Learn to recognize and build on student strengths to promote confidence and enhance learning
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Session 6: Establishing an Effective Environment on the First Day and Week
- Identify benefits and challenges of assessing group and individual performance in a collaborative setting.
- Explore specific examples of assessment and self-assessment.
- Learn to recognize and build on student strengths to promote confidence and enhance learning
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cost to participate in FOCI?
FOCI costs $600 per person to participate.
Teams of three or more from the same institution will receive a $100 discount ($500 per person). To receive the discount, please register all members of your team at once and as soon as possible. Cohorts are filling quickly.
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What is my commitment?
Actively participating in the full series of 6 sessions (12 total hours)
Each session is 2 hours long. During each session we will use authentic situations to explore, struggle with, and make sense of pedagogical and content challenges. Session delivery uses the video and audio features of Zoom. This technology enables us to converse “face-to-face” in real time, in large and small groups, without the expense and hassle of traveling to a central location.Preparing for each session and trying new ideas in your own classroom after each session
Prior to each session, you are expected to do a limited amount of preparation work, often a short reading, video viewing, document analysis, and/or personal reflection. After each session, you commit to trying a technique or approach we discussed during the session.Contributing to the large and small group discussions; supporting your peers
Contribute in the large and small group discussions, bringing your own perspectives and prior experiences into the conversations. Collegially engage in conversations and application activities focused on deepening student understanding through effective student discourse and collaboration. -
What support will I get from the Dana Center?
FOCI materials
You will receive high quality, well-researched, and thoughtful materials for the entire series. All session materials – readings, reflections, handouts, and slide decks - will be provided. You will also have access to recordings of the sessions so that you can review the content on your own.Support from trained facilitators
Dana Center curriculum and professional learning specialists will lead the sessions. These individuals are available to answer questions and provide support during and between the sessions. They can address content and application questions as well as technology issues (e.g. the video conferencing platform).Certificate of completion
You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the series that may be submitted with tenure or promotional materials for your department. The topics and number of hours of professional learning you completed will be listed on the certificate.