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Fall 2011
How do kids understand negative numbers?
Professors Lamb, Bishop, & Philipp Research Mathematical Thinking
Have you ever wondered why 6 â -2 = 6 + +2? Is there any such number as negative zero? What percentage of second graders do you think could solve 3 â 5 = ï£, and how might they solve that problem? Drs. Lisa Lamb, Jessica Bishop, and Randy Philipp asked themselves these and other questions and have found surprising answers from their research on children's mathematical thinking in Kâ12 classrooms. The three mathematics educators were awarded a $1.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study students' ways of reasoning about negative numbers in Grades 2, 4, 7, and 11. On the basis of their findings, they have conducted professional development on the teaching of integers, written and presented broadly for teachers and researchers, and, at the invitation of the authors, revised the integers section in textbooks for mathematics content courses for prospective teachers. Additionally, several of SDSU's graduates from the MA program in K-8 Mathematics Education and students from the Mathematics and Science Education Doctoral (MSED) program engage in research and professional development and present with the project team.
Connecting High School Learning to the Real World: Linked Learning Model
Dr. Nancy Farnan Leads California Linked Learning Project
Traditionally, students in American high schools pursue either an academic curriculum leading to college or a vocational path preparing for industrial and technical employment. Researchers like SDSU Professor and Associate Dean Nancy Farnan are finding that high school students achieve better in programs that unite the two goals. Supported by grant funding from the James Irvine Foundation, Professor Farnan is leading the development of teacher education programs supporting Linked Learning throughout California.
What is Linked Learning?
Linked Learning is an exciting, high school reform effort that energizes student learning by making it relevant to the real world. It combines an interdisciplinary curriculum, project-based learning, and the integration of Career Technical Education with traditional academic disciplines. Supported by grant funding from the James Irvine Foundation, Professor Farnan is leading the development of teacher education programs supporting Linked Learning throughout California
How does it work?
The model organizes academic and career preparation curriculum around industry themes to provide an authentic focus for high school students' learning.
Who is involved?
There are many Linked Learning high schools across the United States. In California, we have about 500 California Partnership Academies.
A network of eight teacher preparation institutions in California are preparing new teachers with the skills and abilities to teach effectively in these reform-oriented high schools.
Why this new model?
A growing body of research supports the effectiveness of Linked Learning schools in eliminating the achievement gap and preparing all students for both college and career.
For more information about Linked Learning, please visit www.connectedcalifornia.org, and see videos of Linked Learning high schools in action.
Last Modified 02/20/12 03:27
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