Mathematics Education Master Portfolio School of Education, Purdue University Overview: Masters Portfolios are purposeful, thematic collections of selected student work that exhibit to the student and others the student's progress, achievement and effort in their Master s degree over time. The portfolio provides an opportunity to demonstrate general graduate competencies and to provide evidence of a graduate s ability to apply instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners and apply technology to enhance student learning. 1. Table of Contents 2. Table summarizing the primary and additional competencies and/or focus areas met by each artifact (see sample table at end of appendix) 3. Narrative Overview: About 3-5 pages. Introduction of the collection. What have you learned in your masters program? Explanation of how the courses you have taken have developed your thinking. 4. Student Artifacts. Typically 4-6 artifacts (from coursework, field experiences, conferences, etc). For each, provide a 1-2 page Artifact Narrative summary of the artifact and how it demonstrates the graduate competencies and/or special focus areas, and how it contributes to your overall professional development. Review: The student will electronically submit the portfolio and participate in an oral defense of the portfolio after each committee member has reviewed materials to discuss the rationale for their artifact selections. The portfolio must be submitted to the committee at least two weeks prior to the oral defense. Competencies and Focus Areas: The artifacts you chose for your portfolio must meet each of the six graduate competencies and two focus areas at least once in a
substantive way. It is likely that one artifact will address more than one competency or focus area. Examples provided below are designed to show some possible ideas of materials from your program that could be used, but elements of the portfolio are not limited to this list. Graduate Competencies: Synthesize knowledge: o The candidate will read and synthesize educational literature related to his/her discipline; describe fundamental theories of human learning; and apply knowledge of human learning, diversity, and effective pedagogy to the solution of practical problems in his/her discipline. Develop new methods and materials for mathematics teaching and/or research Create mathematics classroom materials, lesson plans, or unit plans Write annotated bibliographies of mathematics education books, articles, or other relevant materials Develop an advance organizer for a mathematics unit Apply of mathematics education research in classroom teaching Prepare a review of the literature on a mathematics education topic of interest Write a report about a particular aspect of mathematics education Create & Discover knowledge: o The candidate creates and discovers knowledge to further the state of the art and science of education. The candidate will describe common research methods in his/her discipline, read and evaluate educational research, adhere to ethical standards for the responsible conduct of research, and apply research findings to the solution of practical problems in his/her discipline. Conduct a mathematics education mini-study Conduct a teacher-as-researcher mathematics education study Create a mathematics education web page Redesign a course to incorporate current research, theory, and/or best practice in mathematics education. Create mathematics classroom materials or course papers/projects that demonstrate a connection between research,
theory, and practice Develop classroom plans that demonstrate modifications based on observation of mathematical learning Communicate knowledge: o The candidate speaks, writes, and employs relevant media to effectively communicate knowledge on substantive topics to others. The candidate will communicate effectively in oral and written formats including the ability to communicate content from his/her discipline through the design and delivery of effective teaching/learning activities that integrate content and pedagogy, adapt instruction and support services to the needs of diverse learners, and assess appropriately learning outcomes. Make a presentation to a mathematics education professional group Submit a mathematics education article for publication Communicate mathematics knowledge to students Promote communication among students in mathematics classroom Serve as a discussion leader for assigned readings (ex: STEM/ STEM education course) Communicate an understanding of research design in STEM education Present a report about a particular aspect of education in mathematics education Create a website to communicate mathematics education resources Think critically and reflectively: o The candidate is a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community). The candidate will develop a personal vision of inclusive educational practice, identify the relationship of his/her discipline to the broader field of education, and critically evaluate theory and practice. Write teaching journals or logs focused on reflective mathematics education practice Prepare a critical and reflective paper that takes a position on controversial issues in mathematics education. Develop a critique of an appropriate research study in mathematics education Conduct a detailed review of a book that contributes to the knowledge base in mathematics education. Conduct a self-reflection study to evaluate the impact of an intervention on student(s) mathematical learning
Engage in professional development: o The candidate actively seeks out learning opportunities to grow professionally. The candidate will demonstrate the disposition for life-long learning and continuous professional development. Attend workshops Attend professional meetings Participate in professional organizations Develop a short- and long-term professional growth plan Develop and share a resource that could be used by mathematics teachers to assist in teaching Participate actively in the profession: o The candidate actively participates in the profession through such means as communicating scholarly discoveries, offering learning opportunities to others, and engaging in efforts to serve the greater good. A key feature of Teacher Education at Purdue as a research extensive university. The candidate will identify communities of practice within his/her discipline and participate within these communities according to the ethical standards of the discipline. Publish in mathematics education professional journals Present at mathematics education professional conferences Supervise mathematics student teachers Mentor beginning mathematics teachers Participate in mathematics or mathematics education professional organizations Develop and/or conduct K-12 or higher education mathematics education workshops Participate in mathematics education events such as Math Counts, Math Field Day, etc. Focus Areas: Adapt instruction to diverse learners: o The candidate understands how students differ in their approaches to learning and creates instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners. The candidate plans instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals. o Is evident in students course work in EDCI 54800 and 54900 and field experiences
The mathematics education program was designed to provide opportunities for students to engage around issues of equity in mathematics education. Equity here is used as a broad construct intended to help us think about how to provide meaningful opportunities to learn for all students in our mathematics classrooms. The notion of diverse here is also taken broadly. Issues of diversity here include, but are not limited to race, culture, gender, language, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and mathematical achievement. This area includes teaching a classroom of diverse learners as well as specific pedagogies that may be helpful for particular groups of students. Apply current and emerging technologies: o The candidate effectively applies relevant technologies to enhance students learning experiences, and actively seeks out opportunities to capitalize on emerging technologies. o Is evident in candidates coursework in EDCI 53300, 534000, 53500, and 53600 and field experiences Candidates in the program learn, through their coursework, research experiences, and clinical experiences, about the role of technology in teaching, learning, and doing mathematics. This area includes development, implementation and evaluation of technology that focuses on student learning and/or the impact it has on student learning.
Synthesize Knowledge Create Knowledge Communicate Knowledge Thinking Critically & Reflectively Engage in Professional Development Participate Actively in Profession Diversity Technology SUMMARY TABLE Using APA format where possible, list all portfolio artifacts under the appropriate category (Education Courses, Other Courses, etc). For each item, put an X under the graduate student competencies or focus areas in the table that your artifact or experience addresses in a substantive way. Artifact Education Courses Other Courses Professional Experience Professional Organizations Presentations, Conference Participation, and Publications