Topical Session

Stage-Sensitive (ZPD-Correlated) Assessment of Mathematical Reasoning: A Written Proxy for Interviewing

STEM Categorization
Day
Fri

Examine an innovative, written assessment to infer a ZPD-correlated stage in students’ multiplicative reasoning as a proxy for labor- and time-intensive cognitive interviews.

Date/Time
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Presenters

The purpose of this session is to share the recent development, validation, and use of a written assessment geared toward replacing labor- and time-intensive (cognitive) interviews as a means to obtain evidence of students’ mathematical reasoning. Specifically, Ron Tzur first depicts the provisional stage (called participatory), which correlates with Vygotsky’s ZPD, and what it entails for assessment of students’ mathematics.

Designing Computer-based Learning Environments That Support Synergistic STEM + Computational Thinking (CT) Learning

Day
Fri

This panel session brings together several projects that explore affordances and challenges to synergistic delivery of STEM and CT concepts and practices in K–12 classrooms.

Date/Time
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While there is broad consensus about the synergistic relations between STEM domains and CT concepts and practices, there remains much to be done in developing CT-supported STEM curricula and in providing K–12 teachers and practitioners with the tools and resources to implement such curricula. In this 90-minute topical session, leaders from four DRK–12 STEM+C projects that are developing technology-based solutions address challenges in developing appropriate curricula, resources, and assessments for elementary, middle, and high school STEM courses.

Achieving Broader Impacts of Research Through Dissemination

Day
Fri

Research that is likely to have broader impacts must reach targeted and more varied audiences. Panelists discuss new ways to disseminate findings to maximize influence.

(Moderator: Sharon Lynch)

Date/Time
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This panel tackles “broadening impacts” by featuring studies with new ideas for outreach and dissemination. Dissemination to maximize impact can occur as a new study is launched, during data collection and early phases of interpretation, and when a project is complete and big-picture findings emerge with implications for policy and practice. This panel focuses on how their projects have created dissemination formats to increase the influence of their work for targeted audiences.

Today’s Education for Tomorrow’s College and Career Readiness

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

Panelists discuss the changing landscape of work, business and industry workforce demands, and current education needs and research in areas such as computational thinking.

(Moderator: Joyce Malyn-Smith)

Date/Time
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What does preK–12 education need to look like in order to prepare our future workforce and citizenry? Trends and forecasts lead us to understand that the future of work will be vastly different from what we know today, particularly the relationship between humans and machines both in routine work environments across industry sectors, and also in designing solutions to formerly intractable problems. With more work tasks being performed by machines, the role of humans in the world of work is changing. What does this mean for teaching and learning in the 21st century?

From Pilots to Products: Sustained Dissemination of Curriculum, Software, and Hardware at Scale

Day
Thu

Plan how to broadly disseminate, maintain, and sustain the products of your DRK–12 and/or STEM+C project. Learn about common models, and share your own ideas and experiences.

Date/Time
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This session, led by veteran PIs and co-PIs from Georgia Tech and Concord Consortium, provides a forum for participants to explore the pros and cons of different routes toward product sustainability. The session begins with a carousel activity in which participants respond to prompt questions about challenges and models for transitioning educational resources from research projects to sustained dissemination at scale.

The Ongoing Process of Validating and/or Adapting Learning Trajectories Over Time

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

Hypothetical learning trajectories imply negotiation between teachers and students. In this session, researchers discuss how they validate learning trajectories under variable conditions and anticipate change in practice artifacts.

Date/Time
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This session contributes to a methodological strand involving experienced researchers on learning trajectories and/or learning progressions (LTs/LPs). All these researchers have empirically demonstrated the potential of LT/LP work to broaden participation by leveraging student ideas and offering engaging task designs. Presenters share new LT research on computational thinking. This topical session asks participants to respond to critical questions on the topics of validity and change followed by audience questions and comments.

Promoting STEM Learning for Students with Learning Disabilities

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

Panelists examine the challenges and opportunities faced by STEM educators when balancing strong STEM pedagogy with specific strategies for students with learning disabilities.

(Moderator: Robert Ochsendorf) 

 

Date/Time
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For decades, the STEM education community has been moving toward modes of collaborative inquiry and social constructivism within rich and deep contexts for investigation. This includes situated learning models (e.g., cognitive apprenticeship) and student-centered learning in project-based learning environments. A primary focus in recent science education reform efforts encourages students and teachers to engage in more open inquiry and problem-solving practices that are inherent in the scientific discovery process.

Exploring Technological Innovations to Support Practice-based STEM Teacher Education

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

Learn about technology for teacher education as presenters introduce the work of the LessonSketch R+D Fellows and online tools being used in practice-based teacher education.

Date/Time
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This topical session (1.5 hours) explores how teacher educators have used technological tools in teacher education to support broader participation by students in STEM classrooms. The session unfolds in four parts.

Data Are Everywhere—and Now, So Is Data Science Education. Learn How This Affects You!

STEM Categorization
Day
Thu

Hear from four projects grappling with what it means to engage learners in data science, both integrated into STEM subjects and stand-alone, and discuss the potential challenges.

Date/Time
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This interactive session helps all participants view their work in an important new light. Through a combination of presentation and active discussion, participants investigate several ways that data science education (DSE) can be integrated into STEM learning, and work together to answer driving questions about how DSE looks and feels in practice. Specifically, presenters (1) increase awareness of the importance of DSE, (2) help participants understand how DSE intersects with their work, and (3) expand views on data use in STEM learning to involve DSE contexts.