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The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Drexel School of Education.
"You provide an unintimidating environment in which to learn something that can be very intimidating."
"Nothing replaces the hands-on experience of a workshop. You see what to do, try it yourself, and have a chance to repeat the process -- as well as a support person to contact after you've gone home!"
"It's a great environment because you're learning right along with people who have similar questions, needs, and fears about computers." . . . "I now have a good idea how I will be able to use the Internet in my classroom." . . . "It's fun, and there is always someone to help you when you are stuck!"
What happens in our workshops? We allow plenty of time and provide support and resources to follow participants' interests so they will learn to use the new Internet tools by gathering and constructing resources that meet their needs and concerns.
A Forum workshop begins, not when participants arrive, but long before.
Advance planning -- creating individual computer accounts, assembling binders of materials, writing handouts tailored to classes, readying the lab or even connecting it up from scratch -- all are part of our preparations for the arrival of teachers who come to our Forum workshops on Geometry and the Internet.
We install the software we use in the lab and test it out before the group arrives. As we've sometimes learned the hard way, there's no substitute for a lab that works. We think it is essential that participants be confident in the tools they are learning to use.
Connections -- adding value, meeting needs.
People who spend a day or a week with us at the Forum tell us they feel connected -- to the process of learning, to the staff, to each other. We introduce community-building math games and discuss assumptions that arise from them. During week-long Summer Institutes we come together each morning to think in silence and speak of what comes to mind. We call this "Connections"-- a time not for direct answers but responsiveness and reflection.
We limit workshops to approximately twenty participants and have at least four staff members available to respond quickly to questions and concerns. Arrangements are made for contact with the larger network of Forum users and supporters, who log on to greet and interact with participants. At the end of the day we take time to write "Reflections" that indicate what is working and what is needed; these are read and used by the facilitators in planning for the days to come. After workshops we support local teachers by helping them hook up modems and install software; those farther away can call us or send e-mail for Internet support.
Much more about our workshops is available in our archives: descriptions of our Summer 1994 Institutes are at mathforum.org/conferences.and.institutes/berry.workshop.94.PRO and /forum.workshop.94.PRO. Both are also linked to the K12 entry point on our Web home page. Come and explore!
[Privacy Policy] [Terms of Use]
Home || The Math Library || Quick Reference || Search || Help
The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Drexel School of Education.