Content Support for Inquiry

Achieving excellence in math/science education requires teachers with content knowledge in their discipline as well as an appreciation and understanding of pedagogy. This topic focuses on developing and extending teachers' content knowledge using new materials from recent NSF-funded materials development projects. Many of the these materials represent new content topics that may not have been part of a teacher's undergraduate preparation. Other materials present "old standbys" of our curriculum sequence in refreshing and novel contexts. All offer rich opportunity for extended inquiry. Key Elements of this topic: The content modules in this topic challenge teachers to actively engage in inquiry in their own discipline. Using the new "tools for inquiry" teachers formulate questions, pose problems, and design extended investigations. An online Field Expert will continue to support participants' work with the new tools. In local meetings participants, who are part of content-based virtual groups, are encouraged to meet with their colleagues to share insights and methods used in the modules they are studying. While the virtual groups explore discipline-specific content, discussion of themes of equity and assessment focus the attention of all groups on process and social contexts of adopting new teaching and learning techniques.

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