PSI and PMI: Using SMART Technology to Teach Science and Mathematics

1. PSI and PMI: Using SMART Technology to Teach Science and Mathematics Michael Maccarone Teacher of Physics & Chemistry Newark Public Schools mike.maccarone@gmail.com Timothy Panebianco Coordinator of Program Development New Jersey Center for Teaching & Learning timothy.panebianco@gmail.com

2. Empowering Teachers …Leading Change www.njctl.org

3. The Progressive Science Initiative • Began 10 years ago by the teachers at Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro, NJ • Its primary goal was to make average US students internationally competitive in science • Student performance on Advanced Placement (AP) exams was used as a proxy for international competitiveness

4. AP Performance and International Competitiveness

5. AP Science Exams Taken Bergen County Technical Schools - Teterboro(as multiple of NJ Rate: NJ=1)

6. AP Science Exams PassedBergen County Technical Schools - Teterboro(as multiple of NJ Rate: NJ=1)

7. AP Science Exams Taken – 2010 Bergen County Technical Schools - Teterboro (School versus Normed State) # students

8. AP Science Exams Passed – 2010 Bergen County Technical Schools - Teterboro(School versus Normed State) # students

9. Math SAT ScoresBergen County Technical Schools - Teterboro

10. Program Expansion:June 2009 Cohort • 21 schools in 4 districts: Newark, Paterson, Jersey City and Bergen Tech Paramus • 39 teachers completed training on June 26, 2010 • 31 are new physics teachers • Taught physics to 1200 students last year • Now teaching physics to about 3000 students

11. Program Expansion:January & May 2010 Teacher Cohorts • 60 additional teachers – chemistry and physics • 6 school districts • 35 Schools: 21 current + 14 additional • Now teaching about 4000 students physics or chemistry

12. Technology High SchoolNewark Public Schools • Demographics • Total enrollment 486 students, 10.7% IEP • First year implementation (2009) • All 119 freshmen took PSI Physics • Prior to PSI, on average 10 students were scheduled for AP Physics B • Using the PSI curriculum during that year, 1 student passed the AP B exam • Second year implementation (2010) • 90 students enrolled in AP Physics B • Sophomores continuing with PSI Chemistry • Continued implementation with new freshmen

13. Math SAT Scores

14. AP Science Exams Taken – 2010 Technology High School – Newark, NJ (School versus Normed State) # students

15. PSI Methods • Curriculum • Pedagogy • Assessment Strategies • Technology • Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) • Pacing

16. Progressive Science Sequence Grades 9 - 12

17. Traditional Sequence(Optimal)

18. Pedagogy • Social Constructivism • Round Tables • Group Problem Solving • Teacher as facilitator • Heterogeneous student setting • Wait Time

19. Pedagogy • Direct Instruction • Intervals of instruction and formative assessment using SMART Notebooks • Peer Teaching • Maintaining students in their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

20. Assessment • Ungraded formative assessment • SMART Responders to poll student understanding • TBWA- Teaching by Wandering Around • Graded formative assessment • Frequent Quizzes, Tests, etc. • Retakes • Science tests use AP format; Math tests use Algebra I EOC test format • No grades for participation, homework, etc. • Homework - all answers are given to students • Grade is weighted average - not subjective

21. Classroom Technology • Computer and Printer • SMART board with Projector • SMART Responders • Round Tables

22. Website • All course materials are posted - www.njctl.org • Homework • SMART Notebook presentations • Labs • Unit Plans • Assessments

23. Website • Open Source Approach - Free access to all • Teachers can get free upgraded access to assessments • +40,000 page views per month • +4000 unique visitors per month

28. SMART Technology • SMART Notebook (presentations) • Fast-pace delivery – reflects student life • PSI Pedagogy – enables direct instruction, formative assessment • SMART ‘lesson study” – continuous improvement of materials • Interschool and Intraschool PLC’s • SMART Response • Enables live formative assessment

29. Teacher Collaboration Common, objective grading structure and policy Implementation of PSI Assessment Strategies Horizontal (pacing) and Vertical Alignment (year to year) Peer Observation, feedback, support Classroom coverage After school tutoring Smart Lesson Study

30. Smart Lesson Study • Similar to Japanese Lesson study • Teacher collaboration on lesson design • Common instructional techniques and delivery • U.S. schools • insufficient common planning time • Technology facilitates collaboration • Smart Lesson Study • SMART Notebook content • Shared lessons between teachers, schools • email, website, Google-Doc’s, phone, Skype, etc. • Lessons are reviewed and final revisions made • Resulting lesson is taught by all teachers • Feedback is used for future planning

31. Student Collaboration All teachers use the same curriculum Common Assessments for all students Any teacher can help any student Any student can teach tutor any other student

32. The Progressive Mathematics Initiative (PMI) • PSI approaches were used to develop two courses: Pre-Algebra and Algebra • Combines content developed by six middle schools with the methods proven within PSI • Will measure results with NJ EOC Tests: ASK tests and EOC Algebra I test

33. The Progressive Mathematics Initiative (PMI) Being piloted in: Egg Harbor Paterson Florence Vernon Mendham Secaucus Tabernacle Metropolitan HS (NYC) Dorset MS (VT)

34. Mini-Lesson

35. PSI in your school • All PSI content is available for free for everyone; any teacher can get access to assessments. • Any classroom can be outfitted with the technology and structure recommended for optimal student achievement. • Training and Professional Development is available to teachers and schools on the PSI methods and content.

36. Implementing PSI • The PSI sequence begins with Physics. • There is a shortage of physics teachers. • NJCTL offers a solution to this problem.

37. Progressive Science Initiative • We have a shortage of science professionals • It’s not clear they want to leave their jobs • It’s not clear that they will be good teachers • We question that: “Science is hard: teaching is easy”

38. Progressive Science Initiative • PSI has shown “all students can learn science”. • We believe “all teachers can learn science” • We use PSI to teach science to skilled teachers. • The goal is to get the best teachers to become the best science teachers: “Teaching is hard; science is easy”

39. Kean – CTL Endorsement Program • Teachers are taught the science content, and how to teach it • Teachers are provisionally authorized to teach a first level PSI course • Teachers take advanced courses while teaching the first course • Teachers discuss their field experience while doing advanced coursework

41. PSI Professional Development PD is available for currently certified Math and Science teachers during summer sessions and throughout the year in: • Teaching Methods • Math – K-5 Math, Pre-Algebra and Algebra • Science – Physics, AP Physics, Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Biology • Locations: Teterboro, NJ & Moorestown, NJ • For more information visit www.njctl.org

42. Endorsement Various endorsement programs are available for teachers looking to earn certification in the sciences Physics Endorsement is ongoing; next cohort starts July 2011 Locations: Teterboro, NJ & Moorestown, NJ

43. The U.S. faces a serious challenge in math and science education • We want our schools to be internationally competitive. • PSI & PMI are clear paths to achieving that. • Teachers and students are seeing success in the classroom and immediate impact throughout their schools.

44. PSI and PMI: Using SMART Technology to Teach Science and Mathematics Michael Maccarone Teacher of Physics & Chemistry Newark Public Schools mike.maccarone@gmail.com Timothy Panebianco Coordinator of Program Development New Jersey Center for Teaching & Learning timothy.panebianco@gmail.com