FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2009
Contact: Macaulay Knight Whitaker
662.329.7119
mknight@pa.muw.edu
MUW and MSMS host TEAMS Institute this summer
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science will host the 2009 TEAMS (Technology Enhancement of Algebra in Middle School) institute June 1 -26 on campus in the Education and Human Sciences building.
Geared toward increased efficiency, student motivation and academic performance in mathematics classes, the institute is funded through an $85,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education and Institutions of Higher Learning. Instructors include Dr. Bonnie Oppenheimer, professor of mathematics at MUW; Bobby Jarrell instructor at MSMS; Heather Nevins, teacher at Smithville High School; and Dr. Richard Holden, associate professor of education at MUW.
“This institute will benefit teachers by providing them with training and equipment that aligns their classroom lessons with research-based national mathematics and technology standards,” said Holden, TEAMS institute creator. “These standards are designed to increase student classroom interest and academic performance in mathematics.”
Participants include 20 middle school mathematics teachers from schools in the Columbus area. The institute will begin with a thorough review of the Mississippi Framework and the mathematics standards, benchmarks and depth of knowledge requirements for grades sixth through ninth. Various vendors will demonstrate products including electronic whiteboards, TI-84 Plus graphing calculators with Smartview presentation software, wireless teacher pads and student responders.
Additionally, participants will receive training on developing class web sites and real-world mathematics story problems using PowerPoint. Participants will also receive instruction on Singapore Math methods of solving problems quickly in the head without a calculator or pencil and paper. During the final week of the institute, participating teachers will present real-life story problems to middle school students participating in MUW’s Crossroads program.
For more information on the TEAMS institute, email Holden at rholden@edhs.muw.edu or Debbie Swartz at dswartz@msms.k12.ms.us.
