A.P.P.L.E.

Lietuviškai 

A.P.P.L.E. Work Group

An overview of A.P.P.L.E. Mathematics Focus group meeting in Lithuania
1998 11 27
Vilnius

Participants:
Dr. Pranas Gudynas - Pedagogical University
Kazimieras Pulmonas - LPKI
Virginija Būdienė - Open Society Fund
Nijolė Cibulskaitė - Šeškinės school
Marytė Zenkevičienė - Daugai agricultural school
Napaleonas Rimkevičus - Bezdoniai school
Vilija Tarnavičiūtė - Zapyškis school

On Nov. 28, 1998 a group of Lithuanian Mathematics educators met in Vilnius in a discussion how A.P.P.L.E. summer seminars could meet their needs during this time of an ongoing reform of eduction in Lithuania.

Under discussion was what information and experince of Mathamatics Teachers from the USA or other countries would be of value to the Lithuanian teachers.  By consensus the following topics were suggested:

1. What methodology is used to have students learn mathematics in the primary grades?  How does the student know whether he has mastered the subject matter?  What are ways and means the student is taught to evaluate his/her achievement?
2. Final Mathematics Examinations:   Preparation for the exam;  Evaluation.  At the end of the present school year the new final examinations will be administered.  There is much anticipation and unease among Lithuanian teachers upon the success of the tests.  Could USA teachers share their experience on this topic?
3. Teaching standards in the USA.  How are they achieved?
4. Integration of students with special needs.  Mainstreaming of one, two or more special needs students into the regular classroom puts a great stress on the teacher.  What is being done to solve this problem?
5. Trends toward new themes for word problems.  Under the educational reform new topics were introduced in economics, geared for life situations and promoting logical reasoning.  It would be interesting to hear of experiences in this field.  May be there have been compiled some laboratory type projects?
6. Experimental computer assisted geometry.
7. Computer programs in visualizing geometric objects.
8. Research in mathamatics assisted by the computer.
9. Methods of applying the computer in classroom teaching.  Of special interest were:  Computer - projector or television hook-up for whole class participation with one computer.   Group work - 2-4 students per computer.
10. Theory of probabilityu and statistics via the computer.
11. Working with computer systems and languages to create your own small mathematics programs.
12. Resources of the Internet for information search in projects and tests.  Using the Intranet for sharing information among students.  Virtual teaching via the Internet.  I*EARN - international school projects in mathematics.  Sharing with students and teachers in various countries.
13. How to teach problem solving skills?
14. How to teach students to communicate in mathematics language?
15. Sharing experiences - how to have students cooperate and interact in daily classroom activities.  (As outlined by NCTM standards.)
16. Making daily, weekly lesson plans.  Long term planning.  Tests - criteria for making tests to measure mathematical learning and critical thinking.
17. Topic or theme work method and its application to mathematics.
18. Project work - machanics of and reality of its success in mathematics teaching.
19. Questioning skill - applied to mathematics.
20. Improving critical thinking skills.  Selection of pertinent facts from given information.
21. Interaction and relationships between students and teachers.
22. Helping teachers become more elf-reliant.  Most teachers avoid responsibility.  Does this problem exist in the USA?  What are the ways and means to avoid this problem.
23. Team teaching - mechanics of organization.  Would like to have teachers share their experience.


We hope that A.P.P.L.E. lecturers will choose varied methods in their presentations.  Summer seminar participants enjoy lectures presented in a manner not familiar to them.

Participants of this meeting stated the following achievements in the field of teaching mathematics:

• New programs and new textbooks
• A new standard for final examinations


The problem they forsee is in the fact that there is a shortage of teachers willing to promote changes.

All present at the meeting come prepared to work, discussions and considerations reflected a spirit of congeniality.

Minutes compiled by Vilija Tarnavičiūtė.  Please send new ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
Vilija Tarnaviciute  root@zaps.kau.soros.lt