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PREL TECHNOLOGY NEWS NEW ALGEBRA CD-ROM A Multimedia Resource Demonstrates Classroom Practices for Standards-Based Mathematics Curricula The Pacific Algebra Network project has completed development of a new CD-ROM entitled A Process Approach to Middle and Secondary School Mathematics: Algebra I. A professional development resource, the CD-ROM was developed through a collaboration between PRELSTAR and the Pacific Mathematics and Science Consortium, both programs of Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL), and the Curriculum Research & Development Group (CRDG) of the University of Hawaii. Designed for middle- and secondary-school teachers of mathematics, this CD-ROM combines training and curriculum resources. Classroom teachers have the unique challenge of working in an environment where they don’t often get the opportunity to observe others who are teaching the same content, and multimedia products combine video and other resources to provide them with a convenient means of exploring what others are doing with similar curricula. While video-based instruction is not new, today’s multimedia technologies allow for new formats, combining video clips of classroom "best practices" with relevant supporting materials such as textual explanations and downloadable resource files. A Process Approach to Middle and Secondary School Mathematics: Algebra I takes a unique approach: it follows a teacher and her algebra students throughout an entire school year, focusing on three key areas: algebraic content, instructional strategies, and assessment. Each of the three- to five-minute video clips selected by master teachers at CRDG illustrates some facet of mathematics teaching or learning. Some show students developing mathematical concepts, while others record the process by which the teacher instructs the students and encourages group work. Clips also record students working collaboratively and teams presenting their work and leading class discussions. Each video is accompanied by text that provides detailed commentary. The CD-ROM provides problem sets that teachers can use with their students and files that contain samples of assessment rubrics, student work, and tests and quizzes. The resource materials available on A Process Approach to Middle and Secondary School Mathematics: Algebra I have received favorable reactions from teachers and curriculum developers. According to a curriculum developer who reviewed the CD-ROM, this is the first professional development product of its kind and one that will have a strong impact on teachers’ implementation of new programs. One 8th grade algebra teacher commented that she especially liked the ease with which files can be opened and printed because she can use them immediately with her class. A teacher from Pohnpei who participates in PREL’s Pacific Algebra Network project noted, "This is a good tool for teachers and administrators who want to help their students learn more." While the CD-ROM is keyed closely to the "Algebra I: A Process Approach" curriculum and methodology developed by CRDG and supports PREL’s Pacific Algebra Network project, any mathematics teacher trying to implement a standards-based, process-oriented curriculum in middle and secondary schools can benefit from the examples on the CD-ROM. For more information, please contact Kavita Rao at raok@prel.org. DISTANCE LEARNING FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION Teachers Can Earn Credits Without Leaving Their Home Islands Pacific teachers seeking certification often face a dilemma: to enter a teacher education program, they may have to leave the island. And leaving the island means leaving their jobs. A new Pacific distance learning program will help solve this problem. Developed through a partnership between PREL and region institutes of higher learning (IHEs), the program will make it possible for teachers to earn credits toward certification and degree programs without leaving their home islands. To determine how best to meet this challenge, PREL’s Pacific Region Technology in Education Consortium (PR*TEC) convened a working group of representatives from all two- and four-year IHEs in the region. In an initial meeting, a strategic partnership was forged between the IHEs, PREL, and other region community organizations to explore the feasibility of new approaches to teacher education needs. Partners in this project include the University of Guam, the University of Hawaii, American Samoa Community College, the College of Micronesia-Federated States of Micronesia (COM-FSM), Guam Community College, Palau Community College, the College of the Marshall Islands, and Northern Mariana College. After five meetings that took place at the University of Guam, Northern Mariana College, Palau Community College, and the COM-FSM, the group identified the following six courses as the core of any teacher education program: educational psychology, introduction to exceptional children, classroom management, classroom methods, evaluation and assessment, and literacy. The group decided that distance learning would be crucial to delivery of these classes, as the individual IHEs did not have the capacity to offer the number of courses needed. The pilot for the program will begin this summer, with Pacific departments and ministries of education identifying groups of teachers to participate in the initial course offering. All participants will hold associate of arts degrees. The collaborative nature of the project is evident in the division of responsibilities: COM-FSM will provide the instruction, while Northern Mariana College will grant 300-level credits to ensure that students progress beyond their associate degrees. Key to the success of the program was a decision by all region IHEs to accept credits offered through the program and to articulate the courses with their degree-granting programs. COMPUTER REPAIR WORKSHOPS Training School Staff Makes Low-Cost Computer Maintenance Possible PR*TEC and PRELSTAR are sponsoring a program to train 10 people from each entity school district in basic computer repair and maintenance. The three-phase program began with a week-long workshop on Guam, November 7-11, 2001. A week of training facilitated by Guam workshop participants at the home entities follows. A third phase will employ videoconference-training sessions. To date, followup trainings have taken place on Chuuk and Pohnpei. Names of Guam workshop participants from the nine Pacific entities are: Carri-Lee Magalei and Allen To from American Samoa; Keske Alanso and Dionis Hallers from Chuuk; Eric Johnson from CNMI; David Cruz, Ray Peredo, John Concepcion, and Frank Muna from Guam; Lugo Skilling and Eterny Edwin from Kosrae; Edwel Ongrung and Romalda Emesiochl from Palau; Jay John and Ander Alfons from Pohnpei; Casiano Jetnil and Rolly Ben from RMI; Johnny Menger and Santus Bugomal from Yap; and Canisius Filibert and Silves Mikel from PREL. Instructors were Jim Bannan, Marc Raskinski, and Andrew Kerr from PREL; Bill Young from Hawaii; and Dr. Max Palisson, Andy Miral, Bruce Best, and Rick Manns from Guam. For more information, contact Andrew Kerr at kerra@prel.org. tech tips Compare your computer to an automobile – just putting in gas without ever changing the oil or checking the sparkplugs, points, or tires will eventually cause severe damage to your vehicle. The same is true with your computer. The computer’s operating system needs care and maintenance as well. Running the basic programs that are included in computer systems every few months can help keep your machine humming happily. Windows
95, 98, 2000, and ME Macintosh Tech Tips provides information on the use and maintenance of computers. PREL provides no guarantee against any loss that may occur to your computer system(s) as a result of using the advice provided herein. Professional assistance should be consulted as appropriate. >finditonline Links to Education Professional Development Resources The Knowledge
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