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CRMSE Events
For more events, see the CRMSE Calendar.
CRMSE Colloquium
Susan Goldin-Meadow, Beardsley Rumi Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Chicago
How Our Hands Help Us Think
Wednesday, March 21, 2012. 1:00-2:00 PM, 6475 Alvarado Road, Suite 128.
Abstract: When people talk, they gesture. We now know that these gestures are associated with learning. They can index moments of cognitive instability and reflect thoughts not yet found in speech. What I hope to do in this talk is raise the possibility that gesture might do more than just reflect learning––it might be involved in the learning process itself. I consider two non-mutually exclusive possibilities: the gestures that we see others produce might be able to change our minds; and the gestures that we ourselves produce might be able to change our minds. Finally, I explore the mechanisms responsible for gesture's effect on learning––how gesture works to change our minds.
Download the event flyer. RSVP at http://crmse.wufoo.com/forms/crmse-colloquia/.
Igal Galili, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Cultural Content Knowledge and Science Education
Friday, February 10, 2012. 1:00-2:00 PM, 6475 Alvarado Road, Suite 128.
Abstract: Subject matter in science education usually follows the tradition of considering strict disciplinary content. Also, within physics curricula, different disciplines are considered as harmonious components – complementary aspects of one true picture of the world. This view is deconstructed in our effort to see the subject matter of science as a culture, in the specific sense that emphasizes the discursive nature of science. A new structure of science curriculum of introductory courses is suggested. In the "big picture", a scientific discipline is comprised of fundamental theories and each possesses triadic structure of content: nuclear-body-periphery. The nucleus includes the fundamental principles, the paradigm. The body comprises the application of the nucleus, and the periphery includes elements challenging the nucleus. It is the periphery that upgrades discipline to discipline-culture and disciplinary knowledge – to cultural content knowledge (CCK). This structure uses elements of history and philosophy of science, and suggests changes in the training of prospective teachers. The CCK structure visualizes the scientific revolutions and individual conceptual change. Given the subject matter arranged culturally, a new typology of students is introduced, characterizing students according to their preference for either the nucleus, body or periphery, and replaces the dichotomy of C. P. Snow. I will illustrate the novel teaching materials by the units developed within the European project HIPST (2010). All together, it is argued that CCK is appropriate for the modern culture and society.
Download the event flyer. RSVP at http://crmse.wufoo.com/forms/crmse-colloquia/.
Morana Alac, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Communication and Science Studies University of California San Diego
Digital Scientific Visuals
Friday, November 18, 2011. 1:00-2:00 PM, 6475 Alvarado Road, Suite 128.
Abstract: As visual renderings in sciences are becoming increasingly entangled with computers and computational formats, their digital materiality calls for a distinct approach. To tackle scientific visuals and address the issue of their digitality, in this talk I will focus on the renderings of the human brain generated by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology and employed in research laboratories of cognitive neuroscience. I will think about the character of those visuals by working with the ideas from interpretative semiotics of Charles Sanders Peirce. I will start from Peirce's icon-index-symbol typology to suggest that in laboratories of cognitive neuroscience fMRI visuals function as iconic signs. This claim will be grounded in an analysis of how computer screens are manipulated and how they are coordinated with the ongoing talk, gesturing bodies, dynamics of spatial organization, and the coordinated actions of the co-participants in a scientific setting.
Download the event flyer. RSVP at http://crmse.wufoo.com/forms/crmse-colloquia/.
Mica Pollock, Ph.D. Director, CREATE (Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment, and Teaching Excellence) Professor, Department of Education Studies University of California, San Diego
Designing Communications for Equity in Schools
Friday, December 2, 2010. 1:00-2:00 PM, 6475 Alvarado Road, Suite 128.
Abstract: Mica Pollock, an anthropologist of education, has long explored ways to support youth and adults in more effective communications in diverse educational communities. For years, her work examined and assumed two key forms of communication: face-to-face dialogue, and paper documents. In the past several years, she has been exploring how common technology might help link the people who share diverse public school communities and young people's lives. Before joining the faculty at UCSD as the new Director of CREATE, Pollock spent two years collaborating with educators, families, young people, and local technologists in Somerville, Mass., to pilot The OneVille Project, a participatory design research project exploring how commonplace technology might support everyday communications across a diverse educational community. At UCSD, Pollock is beginning analogous projects in San Diego and is also beginning to explore ways of networking educators regionally. In her talk, Pollock will share early ideas on "improving the communication infrastructure of public education" with equity in mind.
Download the event flyer. RSVP at http://crmse.wufoo.com/forms/crmse-colloquia/.
Lisa Clement Lamb and Jessica Pierson Bishop, SDSU School of Teacher Education
Witches, Astrology, and Negative Numbers
Friday, December 9, 2010. 1:00-2:00 PM, 6475 Alvarado Road, Suite 128.
Abstract: What do witches, astrology, and negative numbers have in common? Come to the talk to find out! We will share initial findings from our research investigating K-12 students' conceptions of integers and show a variety of video clips that highlight different ways of reasoning. These include order-based, magnitude-based, and computationally-based approaches. Some students also leveraged mathematical formalisms to solve problems. The audience will consider potential limitations and affordances of these ways of reasoning about negative numbers. At our next colloquium, we will discuss the similarities among and between werewolves, academicians, and soccer moms.
Download the event flyer. RSVP at http://crmse.wufoo.com/forms/crmse-colloquia/.
CRMSE Distinguished Lecturer Series
Celia Hoyles and Richard Noss
Celia Hoyles and Richard Noss, London Knowledge Lab, Institute of Education, University of London, will give a joint talk at SDSU on October 21, 2010:
Thursday, October 21, 2010, 4:30-6:00 PM, Arts & Letters 101:
"Mathematics at Work: A Need for New Mathematical Literacies"
Abstract: In this talk, we will summarize and provide examples of some recent research studies that have investigated in detail what mathematics is required in IT-rich workplaces. Based on the findings of a recently completed 3-year project in England, working in partnership with employees and employers, we will argue that the ubiquity of IT systems in workplaces has generated the need for a new kind of mathematical knowledge that we call Techno-mathematical Literacies (TmL). TmL comprise some appreciation of how mathematical models underpin IT systems and some interpretative competence of the processes that produce the outcomes of these systems.
We will describe how we found that symbolic information in the form of numbers, tables and graphs are often understood by employees as pseudo-mathematics – as labels or pictures and little association with any underlying mathematical relationships. Information, therefore, frequently fails to fulfil its intended role in facilitating communication within or between workplaces or between employees and customers. We will also describe how TmL were effectively developed by the design of authentic activities in which work process models were made more visible and manipulable through interactive software tools - technology-enhanced boundary objects.
Reception will be from 4:00-4:30 PM on the Arts & Letters patio.
Download the event flyer. Download driving, parking & walking directions.
Joseph S. Krajcik and Valerie Otero
Joseph S. Krajckik, University of Michigan, and Valerie Otero, University of Colorado, will give a joint talk at SDSU on April 30, 2009:
Thursday, April 30, 2009, 4:30-6:00 PM, Arts & Letters 101:
"Supporting Science Teachers in Utilizing Model-Based Inquiry"
Overview: Valerie and Joe will do a joint talk for about 10 minutes introducing the importance of model building in science and in science teaching. Then each of them will give a talk on their own research and development projects regarding models, followed by questions and discussion.
I. Valerie Otero, "The evolution of elementary teachers' model-building practices." (25 min)
II. Joe Krajcik, "Curriculum materials as a tool for supporting middle school science teachers and their students in building and revising models." (25 min)
III. Questions and Discussion. (30 min)
Reception will be from 3:45-4:30 PM on the Arts & Letters patio.
Friday, May 1, 2009, 9:30-11:30 AM, 6475 Alvarado Rd. #128 :
"Supporting Science Teachers in Utilizing Model-Based Inquiry: An Informal Discussion"
Overview: Join Valerie and Joe in an informal discussion about the topic of their colloquium the day before.
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'Brown Bag' Occasions
Time and Location for All Events (except where noted below)
Time: 12:30 - 1:30
Location: 6475 Alvarado Road, Suite 128, Room 1 (front room)
Contact Information
Friday, April 20, 2012: Alexander Chizhik, Professor, SDSU School of Teacher Education
Research Opportunities in the LabZone
Description: Do you have an innovative math or science activity that you would like to try out with middle schoolers? Since we currently have IRB approval to conduct educational activities with middle school students in the LabZone and to collect observational as well as paper/pencil data, the LabZone may be the right place for you to conduct some research. The LabZone runs during the regular SDSU semesters. Come to learn more about the LabZone and chat about research possibilities with your CRMSE colleagues.
Friday, February 17, 2012:
Joe Mahaffy, Ph.D., Department of Mathematical Sciences, San Diego State University.
Computer Lab for Calculus in the Life Sciences
Abstract: I will discuss my experiences using biological problems from Calculus in the setting of a computer lab. The problems are done largely in WeBWorK, using Excel, so I'll illustrate the work with examples and discuss the tools. The applications could be easily adapted to high school courses, and their modeling approach might help motivation of learning math skills.
CRMSE Gatherings
These "wine-and-cheese" events, open to all CRMSE members and friends, are informal meetings taking place on a Friday late afternoon during which we share news, celebrate new projects and members, and get to know some of what is going on in CRMSE projects.
September 26, 2008: The next "wine-and-cheese" event starts at 3:00 pm in the Suite 128 (6475 Alvarado Rd.). We will be welcoming new members and associate members; and Joanne Lobato, Susan Nickerson, Chris Rasmussen, and Sam Shen will be discussing their recent trip to China and Korea. This event is open to all CRMSE members and friends.
More "wine-and-cheese" events will be held in the future. Information about these events will appear here. These events will be open to all CRMSE members and friends.
Other Events
Osvaldo D. Soto, MSED, Dissertation Defense.
Teacher Change in the Context of a Proof-Centered Professional Development
Monday, May 17, 2010. 4:30 PM, Bonner Hall 2130, UCSD.
Abstract: Though it is widely acknowledged that teachers’ knowledge of mathematics is a cornerstone on which their instructional practices are based, little research exists documenting the impact of changes in teachers’ mathematical content knowledge on their teaching practices. As proving is a central activity in the study of mathematics, a teacher’s proof schemes (in the sense of Harel and Sowder, 1998) enable and constrain instructional approaches. For professional developers hoping to better understand the impact of teachers’ proof schemes on their instructional practices, examinations of specific cases, with special attention to the nature and mechanisms of change in proof schemes and teaching practice, provide insight into the organization of effective professional development (PD) for teachers in the domain of proving.
The case study reported here examines the development of proof schemes and teaching practices of one in-service secondary mathematics teacher who participated in an off-site PD for two years. Two data sources were examined: video of the participant doing mathematics at the PD and footage of her own teaching. The analysis of proof schemes focuses on proof production during the PD. Development of the teacher’s practice was also investigated during the two academic years following each summer. The study includes theoretical connections (using Harel’s DNR Theoretical Framework) between developments in the teacher’s proof schemes and teaching practices.
Specifically, this study asked: (1) What changes were observed in one participant’s proving and proof schemes as she participated in the PD? (2) What connections can be found between her experiences at the PD (including changes in her proof schemes) and the evolution of her teaching practices in a whole class setting? It was found that she became increasingly able to identify pivotal statements in her own proofs that had previously been left unattended. The participant showed evidence of a transition from empirical to deductive proof schemes. The greatest developments in teaching practices were observed in the practices of handling students’ solutions by encouraging student-to-student talk, asking students to prove conjectures, soliciting alternative solutions in the presence of correct solutions, and attending to mathematical detail in correct solutions.
Past Events
Check out the Science and Mathematics Education Research Seminar Series (PDF) that was held at UCSD in 2008-2009.
November 8 , 2008: Inner Space/Outer Space: A Sciences Sampler. Scientists and students of the College of Sciences will display and demonstrate powerful microscopes, telescopes, computers, and other laboratory equipment that offer views of the universe ranging from microscopic parts of a mammalian cell and the rocks of the world around us to images of earth and worlds beyond our own planet.. College of Sciences. Outside GMCS Building Main Entrance. 4:00-8:00 PM. Download flyer.
Reception at AERA 2007 Annual Meeting, Chicago.
CRMSE hosted a reception at AERA 2007. See photos here.