reflections
Tom Dick (tpdick@MATH.ORST.EDU <tpdick@MATH.ORST.EDU>)
Mon, 11 Dec 95 10:29:56 PST
I am another TE project director who has followed the discussions
closely throughout the duration, but until now has not offered any
comment.
Our project is in its final year - it started in 1988 as part of
the calculus reform initiative of NSF, and involves assisting
teachers to implement a calculus reform curriculum that takes
advantage of graphing calculators. The project involves approximately
400 teachers (mostly of AP classes) across the nation.
Some observations from our experiences (all of which will echo
observations made already):
1) a single workshop CAN make a difference, but only for those
teachers needing only a catalyst (perhaps we saw more of these folks
than others - our participants tended to already be leaders in their
schools with respect to innovation)
2) follow-up support is crucial to making the change last. We use
a newsletter, direct phone contact, and periodic reunion meetings of
participants. Clearly the reunion meetings were a recharging
opportunity for many of the teachers - the chance to share with each
other was far more important than anything the project staff had to
offer.
I wish all our participants had e-mail. I think if we had a forum
to discuss issues in our own project like the TEECH forum has offered
it would have been very beneficial.
Thanks to all for all the valuable food for thought and Happy Holidays!
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Tom Dick
Director, Calculus Connections Project
Mathematics Department
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-4605
Phone: 541-737-5179
FAX: 541-737-0517
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