Principles to Action: Evidence-Based Strategies to Engage Students in Productive Struggle

Presented by Kevin Dykema, Math Teacher, Mattawan Middle School, MI, and former board member for NCTM; and Susanne Nobles, Ph.D., Partnerships Director, Learner Variability Project, Digital Promise
Hosted by Barbara Pape, Communications Director, Learner Variability Project

Sponsored by Digital Promise

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Rich mathematical tasks that engage students in solving and discussing demanding problems are a vital part of every math classroom. Cognitively demanding tasks and math discourse can help build a deep conceptual understanding of the mathematics.

But how do you engage students in the productive struggle these tasks require? This edWebinar dives into evidence-based strategies that support students as they progress in understanding math concepts. Some of the specific examples discussed include: error analysis, math talks, and worked examples. Digital Promise provides free resources that put the research at your fingertips.

This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to K-12 teachers, school and district leaders, and math coaches.

About the Presenters

Kevin Dykema is an energetic teacher and presenter who has a passion for mathematics. He has taught 8th grade math for the past 23 years and is currently teaching at Mattawan Middle School in Michigan. He has a master’s degree in math education from Western Michigan University, where he has also taught several undergraduate math courses for preservice elementary teachers. He also conducts professional development sessions throughout the United States on the use of manipulatives in the math classroom. He was awarded the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Director’s Award in 2007 for outstanding contribution and leadership in mathematics education as well as the Service Award in 2014 and has served as a regional director for the organization. He was the annual conference chair for the organization from 2011-2016 as well as co-founder and co-chair since 2015 for a conference focused on mathematics for students with disabilities. In April 2016, he began a three-year term on the Board of Directors for NCTM. Kevin was a 2017 state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Susanne Nobles, Ph.D. is the partnerships director for the Learner Variability Project (LVP) at Digital Promise Global where she leads LVP’s collaborative work with developers, professional learning organizations, researchers, and educators. Susanne also is an adjunct instructor with Relay Graduate School of Education, helping early career teachers deepen their practice. A former high school teacher and administrator, Susanne has worked to empower educators and students with the research, structures, and tools for truly individualized learning. She earned her Ph.D. in composition and new media from Old Dominion University, focusing her research on creating effective digital communities of practice. She earned her M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University and her A.B. in English with Teacher Certification from Duke University.

About the Host

Barbara Pape is the communications director for the Learner Variability Project at Digital Promise Global (DPG). She has 20 years’ experience in strategic communications, writing, and policy analysis, primarily in education. Previously, she served as Executive Producer of the award-winning Teaching & Learning conference, sponsored by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, where she developed content and oversaw outreach and communications. As a writer, she has written for numerous publications, including Harvard University, the National Education Goals Panel (U.S. Department of Education) and Parents magazine. Barbara also served as editor and publisher of the first electronically delivered education newsletter, the Daily Report Card. She earned an EdM at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and launched her career as a middle school language arts teacher.

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Digital Promise was created with the mission to accelerate innovation in education to improve opportunities to learn.

A Learner Variability Project/Digital Promise Global paper, Learner Variability Is the Rule, Not the Exception, defines the term learner variability and explains why understanding it matters to learning.

The fourth installment in Digital Promise Global’s Making Learning Personal For All series, Policies and Practices that Meet Learners Where They Are highlights the promise of personalized learning to meet the needs of the full diversity of learners. It also examines policy actions and investments that district, state, and federal and national levels can take to help each learner master content and a broad range of skills. It makes clear that personalization must consider the whole child, put learner voice and choice front and center, and be built on the learning sciences.