News
- The 2009 Elementary Mathematics Laboratory (EML): July 27 - August 7
From Monday, July 27, to Friday, August 7, the School of Education will be the site of the Elementary Mathematics Laboratory (EML), now in its seventh year. At the core of the laboratory is a mathematics class for fifth graders, most of whom come from the Ypsilanti Public Schools. Deborah Ball will teach the class and facilitate daily pre- and post-class briefing sessions. Each day, Ball’s class is observed by a variety of professionals and students—including teachers, researchers from all backgrounds, teacher educators, student teachers, and mathematicians—who collectively plan for and study the laboratory class. The group meets together every morning and afternoon before and after class to discuss observations and plan for the next day’s instruction. Several participants are members of research projects that use the laboratory as a data collection site. Other observers take part in daily professional development opportunities that are part of the laboratory.
The EML offers an unusual opportunity for researchers, teachers, and other observers to unpack and study the often “invisible” elements of teachers’ work and to collaborate in tackling the challenge of improving mathematics instruction.
The laboratory is affiliated with the Teacher Education Initiative, which aims to redesign how teachers are prepared for practice here at U-M, and to build knowledge and tools that will inform the field of teacher education more broadly. Visitor seating in Ball’s fifth-grade class and the daily pre-class and post-class discussions is open to the public at no cost, but space is limited. If you are interested in reserving a seat or learning more about the EML and its accredited professional development opportunities, please visit the EML website.
go to the EML website »