Moving Mathematics
Teaching into the
Networked World
Sam Zigrossi
Program Director
The Charles A. Dana Center
The University of Texas at Austin
www.utdanacenter.org (math toolkit)
samz@mail.utexas.edu
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Objectives
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To recruit leaders who will constructively
challenge what we are doing in
mathematics education and assist and
support in changing mathematics
education so more students can be
successful and be able to compete in the
21st century.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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My background
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Born 1941 of Italian immigrants
First in the family to attend college
Taught high school math and physics
Earned MS in Education Administration (algebra
dissertation)
IBM career of 29 years (MBA)
• IBM’s interface with public education
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Served on two state panels for Texas education
Adjunct professor in business school—25 years
The Charles A. Dana Center for 10 years
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Format of the presentation
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Review each decade from 1940 to 2008
• Major events of the decade
• Drivers of the economy and society
• Character of education and mathematics
teaching
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Some perspectives
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1940s
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Events
• Ending of the war—”The Bomb”
• Women move into the workforce in large numbers due to the
war.
• Thousands of servicemen return, get educated, and fuel the
greatest economic growth period (GI Bill).
• Transistor is invented.
• Jackie Robinson becomes first black man to play major league
baseball.
• Average annual salary: $2,992
• Labor force male:female is 5:2.
• A loaf of bread costs $0.14.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1940s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Industrialization increases from war effort.
Number of college graduates increases from
returning servicemen.
Exports and rebuilding of Europe
First computer ENIAC (18,000 vacuum tubes)
Economy begins to grow in late 1940s.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1940s
Character of mathematics teaching
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A select few take algebra and higher-level
mathematics in high school.
Mathematics teaching is based on college teaching
pedagogy.
 Textbook-driven, lecture, homework
Majority of students take “arithmetic” courses.
Education model is based on the Industrial Revolution
model.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1950s
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Events
• Industrial revolution is maturing, moving into the
service economy.
• Nuclear applications begin.
• First cake mix is introduced.
• Drive-in movies
• Automobile opens up travel.
• U.S. is greatest industrial nation—no other country
even close.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1950s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Integrated circuit is invented.
Transcontinental TV begins.
McCarthy hearings; communism
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a public bus.
Sputnik—first satellite orbits Earth.
U.S launches Explorer I.
Economy expansion is significant.
Radio is prime information and entertainment media in
the home.
Salk vaccine is developed to halt polio epidemic.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1950s
Character of mathematics teaching
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“Separate but equal” education is challenged.
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, U.S. Supreme
Court decision: “separate educational facilities are
inherently unequal.”
Mathematics teaching is still much the same as it was in
the 1940s.
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Higher-level math courses available only for the brightest
students. Traditional teaching—whole group.
Sputnik causes the country to focus on
mathematics and science education; many people
have ideas of what to change—a great
amount of rhetoric.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1960s
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Events
• Vietnam War
• Civil Rights movement becomes a focal point of
society.
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• NASA is established.
• John Glenn orbits Earth three times.
• TI handheld calculator: $2,500
• Bay of Pigs and Cuban missile crisis
• JFK is assassinated.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1960s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Space research and engineering
Apollo program
Building of U.S. infrastructure
Consumer products
• TV in most homes
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Most products are American-made.
Computers make significant inroads into
business—IBM, HP, Cray, Apple
TV is main media in home for entertainment and
news.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1960s
Character of mathematics teaching
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“New Math” is introduced into schools via
National Science Foundation—focus on
concepts, set theory, functions and diagrams.
Public and teachers rebel and go back to
traditional teaching of mathematics.
Programmed instruction is introduced.
Segregation is still common.
Much rhetoric about improving schools
Integration begins in public schools.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1970s
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Events
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Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision
School-sponsored prayer is unconstitutional.
Impeachment proceedings for President Nixon
Vietnam War divides the country.
Affirmative action becomes a key consideration for
business in hiring.
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“Glass Ceiling” concept is popularized.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1970s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Travel—jumbo jets
Genetic engineering
First “test tube” baby is born.
Intel’s first microprocessor
Entertainment—introduction of VCRs
First Star Wars movie, The Godfather, Jaws,
American Graffiti, Grease
Significant stock market decline
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1970s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Relatively little has changed in mathematics teaching
from the 1960s—some believe education lost the
impetus of the 1960s.
School integration is in full swing.
The federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act
is passed (1975; now called Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act—IDEA).
Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) becomes part of
business training—that is the next phase of programmed
instruction.
There is significant rhetoric about public education.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1980s
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Events
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Business hostile takeovers and megamergers
AIDS becomes significant issue.
Berlin Wall comes down.
Buying on credit becomes the norm.
Rescue mission to Iran fails.
First Space Shuttle—Columbia—orbits Earth.
U.S. Hockey team beats the Soviet Union.
Sandra Day O’Connor appointed to U.S. Supreme
Court.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1980s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Personal computers become
legitimate tools
in business.
Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) is
introduced by IBM.
Imports gain large market share in automobiles
and consumer electronics.
Inflation 13+%—prime rate 21%
Internet opens up to selected groups.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1980s
Character of education
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A Nation at Risk report: “If an unfriendly foreign
power had attempted to impose on America the
mediocre educational performance that exists today,
we might well have viewed it as an act of war. As it
stands, we have allowed this to happen to ourselves. We
have even squandered the gains in student achievement
made in the wake of the Sputnik challenge. Moreover,
we have dismantled essential support systems which
helped make those gains possible. We have, in effect,
been committing an act of unthinking, unilateral
educational disarmament.”
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1980s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Reform in Texas—Ross Perot 1984 report
• Essential Elements
• Texas Assessment of Basic Skills (TABS)
Stand and Deliver—Jamie Escalante’s work at Garfield High School
Significant rhetoric about public education
National Science Board report on precollege education in math,
science and technology—”The nation that dramatically and boldly
lead the world into the age of technology is failing to provide its own
children with intellectual tools needed for the 21st century.”
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• We continue to lead due to our best students and our
universities.
• What is needed is a new set of “basics”— communications,
problem solving, technology literacy.
The teaching of mathematics in some states is beginning to be
based on a set of standards—pedagogy changes little.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
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Events
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Brady Bill—gun control
Persian Gulf War
Social Security, gun control, and health care are
significant issues.
• Famous trials—Rodney King; O.J. Simpson
• Columbine High School shooting
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Drivers of the economy and society
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World Wide Web grows from 2 million to 100 million users
(assimilation of computer technology begins).
Imports continue to make gains.
Outsourcing jobs
Importing skills—HB-1 Visa program
Stock market declines.
Cell phones become a “must” for everyone.
Medical technology is racing with many new applications and
popular use of CAT scans, artificial pacemakers, less-invasive
surgeries—physicians’ jobs and health care change dramatically.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Character of education
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The decade of brain research:
• Previous research—
research—cognition and behavior
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New research—
research—cognitive thinking styles, preference for sense/senses,
personality/emotional factors, environmental and emotional factors,
physiology/ genetics, physical health, comfort and developmental stages
•
The brain is a malleable organ.
Governor's Education Summit—
Summit—The U.S. will be first in math and
More rhetoric.
science by 2000.
President Clinton: "We know, purely and simply, that every single child
must have access to a computer, must
understand it, must
have access to good software and good teachers and to the Internet,
so that every person will have the opportunity to make the most of his
or her own life."
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Standards-based curriculum becomes the norm.
The “math wars”—direct vs. conceptual
In Texas, the EEs are replaced by the TEKS,
and TAAS is introduced.
The teaching of mathematics changes a little,
with the introduction of technology and the use
of more manipulatives.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Character of education
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83% of students graduate from high school.
Distance education
Year-round school
Dual or concurrent credit
School-to-work and Tech Prep
Reforms take place—standards-based
education begins in early grades.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 1990s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Majority of students take Algebra I and
higher-level math courses.
Handheld calculators are introduced in
significant numbers in schools.
Educational ideology wars create
confusion among educators and the
public.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 2000s
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Events
• Communications integration, common use of cell
phones, Internet, and digital TV
• Genetic engineering
• Fossil fuel demand is outstripping supply.
• 9/11—war on terrorism
• $100 in 1940 is same as $1,322 today.
• Average annual salary is $37,000 vs. $2,992 in 1940.
• Labor force male:female is 1:1 vs. 5:2 in 1940.
• Loaf of bread costs $1.00 vs. $0.14 in 1940.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 2000s
Drivers of the economy and society
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Consumer spending is key to economy.
Housing sector is key element.
New communications technologies
Oil prices are steadily increasing.
Social issues revolve around Social
Security, education, personal
security,
and health care
Iraq War and peacekeeping mission
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 2000s
Character of mathematics teaching
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Mathematics teaching has not changed
significantly from the 1990s.
2003 task force on education
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U.S. 4th graders are competitive internationally.
U.S. 8th graders lose 40 points and rate as average.
12th graders are ranked at the very bottom.
More rhetoric.
Texas scores on NAEP—4th graders are fifth in
the country, 8th graders are in the middle, and
11th graders are in the lower third.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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The 2000s
Character of mathematics teaching
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21st Century Summit: What students
need:
• Digital-age literacy
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Literacy in all
technologies
Inventive thinking
Problem solving
using tools
• Effective communications High productivity
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Collaborate
Interactive
Social responsibility
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
Planning
Use of tools
Produce products
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16 Career Clusters
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
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Americans have wanted schools to serve different and
often contradictory purposes for their own children.
• To socialize them to be obedient, yet teach them to be critical
thinkers.
• To pass on the best academic knowledge that the past has to
offer, yet also teach marketable and practical skills.
• To cultivate cooperation, yet teach students to compete with one
another in school and later life.
• To stress basic skills but also encourage creativity and higherorder thinking skills.
• To focus on academic “basics,” yet permit a wide range of
choice of courses.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
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20th Century had many education reforms:
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New America Schools
Accelerated Schools
Basic Education
Engaged Learning
Atlas
Success for All
Essential Schools
American Choice
Direct Instruction
Purpose Centered
Co-NECT
????????????
More rhetoric!
Major barriers:
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In U.S. 3 million teachers, 50 million students
In Texas 250,000 teachers, 4 million students
Governance
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
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In the 1940s, math teaching was based on textbooks and
chalkboards— the “Industrial Model.”
In 2008, mathematics is based on ???
• Textbooks????
• Chalkboards/whiteboards???
• Technology???
• Direct instruction???
• Conceptual understanding???
• Standards??????
• What????????
Have we changed enough to reflect the changes that occurred in
society to meet society’s need?
 I don’t think so.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
Change
Society
Public Education
Time
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
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As a profession, we lack vision of where
we need to go. We are victims of society,
government, unenlightened school
leadership, and OURSELVES!!
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
How do we start?????
 Start simple and then progress to the
complex.
 Let’s look at the research—
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The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
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The essentials for improving student
achievement include:
• All students must have access to the same viable
curriculum in every classroom— ”guaranteed.”
• High-yield instructional strategies have significant
effects on student achievement.
• Teachers must collaborate to strengthen student
achievement—we are all in this together: let’s build a
system!!
• State standards are the basics, not the goal; go
beyond the standards.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Conclusions
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Is our current Industrial Model of Education what
we need in the 21st Century?
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NO!!
Let’s all start looking at new ways of doing
things. I believe you have many of the answers
but need to have the opportunity and
responsibility to begin to revolutionize the
teaching of mathematics.
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Some perspectives
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Why do it?
• For our next generations of leaders,
workers, members of society
• To maintain our economic leadership
• The next generation is our “kids” who are in
school now!!
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Future trends
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Technology
Health care
Education
Energy
Environment
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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Moving Mathematics
Teaching into the
Networked World
Sam Zigrossi
Program Director
Charles A. Dana Center
University of Texas
www.utdanacenter.org-(math toolkit)
samz@mail.utexas.edu
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
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