When integrated into online curriculum modules for students, educative curriculum materials (ECMs) can enhance teachers’ enactment of these modules. This study investigated (1) the use of digitally enhanced ECMs built into an online plate tectonics curriculum module by teachers with different backgrounds and teaching experience, (2) the relationship between teachers’ use of ECMs and student learning gains, and (3) teacher reflections on the value of the ECMs they used. We studied 26 teachers who taught middle and high school students (n = 1,098) by analyzing teacher log files automatically generated by the ECMs, teacher reflections collected with post-implementation surveys and interviews, student log files, and student learning gains from pretest to posttest. Results indicate that (1) there were large variations in the amounts and types of ECM features teachers accessed, (2) middle school teachers accessed significantly more ECM features than high school teachers p < .01, (3) students of teachers who used ECMs during class time made significantly higher learning gains than students of teachers who used them only before and/or between class time, p < .05, and (4) teachers most valued ECM features on student assessment. An overall non-significant, but positive, correlation between the total teacher interactions with ECMs and student learning gains was observed, r = 0.20, p = .32.
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Classroom Supports for Generalizing
Generalizing is a critical aspect of mathematics learning, with researchers and policy documents highlighting generalizing as a core mathematical practice. It can also be challenging to foster in class settings, and teachers need access to better resources to teach generalizing, including an understanding of effective forms of instruction. This article proposes Classroom Supports for Generalizing (CSGs), investigating how multiple elements—such as tasks, teacher moves, student interactions, and representations—interact to meaningfully foster student generalizing. Drawing on class video data from a middle school teacher and two high school teachers, we present the CSG Framework, which identifies three categories of supports: Interactions for Generalizing, Structures for Generalizing, and Routines for Generalizing.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1920538
- PAR ID:
- 10540400
- Publisher / Repository:
- NCTM
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal for Research in Mathematics Education
- Volume:
- 55
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 0021-8251
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 7 to 30
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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