Place-based Math Education Seminar

Prerequisites:

Open to any current mathematics graduate student who is interested in teaching calculus.

Goals:

In this seminar, we will learn practical ways to modify our teaching of mathematics to meet our kuleana to aloha ʻāina and to advance UH Mānoa as a Hawaiian place of learning. Participants will be empowered to continue their education outside of the seminar, in recognition that not all learning can be done in one classroom.

Participants will:

• Develop an understanding of the principles of place- and culture-based education

• Learn how a culture- or place-based curriculum can increase student engagement 

• Expand their knowledge of Hawaiʻi, its cultures, and its peoples

Community principles:

In order for all participants to fully participate in the seminar, a set of community principles will be decided upon at our first meeting. All participants will agree to abide by these principles at future meetings. The principles will be built upon the Hawaiian cultural values of:

• akahai (gentleness): We will assume good intentions from all participants.

• lōkahi (harmony): We will seek to understand the perspectives of other participants and how they align with our own.

• ʻoluʻolu (courteousness): We will ensure that each participant has an opportunity to share their viewpoint.

• haʻahaʻa (humility): We recognize that we are all learners and will respect that every participant is an expert on their own experience.

• ahonui (patience): We understand that everyone learns and communicates differently; we will ensure everyone has the space to express themselves.

Format:

Meetings will have two parts: a discussion on a selected reading and a teaching practicum. 

Discussions are framed around provided weekly readings, which may take the form of articles, book chapters, or interviews. Discussions will be led by participants and facilitated by the instructor. Participants should complete the listed readings before each seminar.

We will also develop lesson plans for math courses incorporating what we learn in the seminar. Practical examples will be drawn from the topics in Calculus I, but instructors (or soon-to-be instructors) of any course are welcome to join. Participants will have the opportunity to share what they have developed in a departmental symposium in August. 

Time will also be reserved in every session to address practical questions and concerns about teaching mathematics from the summer instructors.

Schedule: 

We will meet weekly in person every Thursday from noon to 1:30 pm, beginning June 6 and ending August 8 (to overlap with the 10-week summer schedule). 

All sessions will be held in Keller 414.

A symposium will be held in August, date TBD.

The schedule below is preliminary.