Maths Wonderland As A resource centre

How To Help Teachers To Help Their Pupils In Maths? : 

How To Help Teachers To Help Their Pupils In Maths? MathWonderLand As A Resource Centre CITY OF ESPOO

Slide 2: 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 2 We know a lot about reading and writing disabilities but learning disability in mathematics is much less known. The interest in mathematics special needs education is strongly increasing among researchers and teachers all over the world.

MathWonderLand : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 3 MathWonderLand Separate projects of the city of Espoo and Helsinki started in the year 2000. There are many other MathWonerLands or other mathematics resource centres in Finland (Helsinki, Vantaa, Janakkala, Hämeenlinna…). Term 2005-2006 in Espoo: two part-time consultant teachers (10 + 5 hours/week) Main budget for materials, education etc. in Espoo14 000 € and other funds about 14 000 € /year Teachers may choose their teaching methods freely in Finland. In-service teacher training and consulting from preschool to the end of comprehensive school (children's ages from 6 – 16 years)

MathWonderLand : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 4 MathWonderLand The very first idea was to support teachers by giving information and consultation about how to use hands-on materials in the classroom and in special needs education. MathWonderLand loans hands-on materials to schools. Nowadays more systematic work to improve teaching methods Many long and short term courses and projects Umbrella for many subprojects Three subprojects concerning special needs education and ICT : The Golden Cube (preschool) Varga-Neményi (from Hungary) Math Therapy (from Germany)

The Golden CubeCertificate : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 5 The Golden CubeCertificate For preschool teachers who have concentrated on mathematics education Challenges: how to recognize and support children who will not get a good start by nature. There are some interesting research groups in the Universities of Jyväskylä and Turku ”Peer trainer education” Free ideas and materials (spring 2006) www.kultainenkuutio.fi Messenger group for the peer trainers

The Golden CubeCertificate : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 6 The Golden CubeCertificate The peer trainers August 31 2005 in Hösmärinpuisto School

Varga-Neményi method : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 7 Varga-Neményi method From Hungary (Tamás Varga and Eszter Neményi) Mathematics for all pupils Classes from 1 to 4 in Hungary. It is based on concrete experiences and hands-on materials. There is a project to make all materials suitable for the Finnish school system (via video negotiation). National seminars and contacts Free long term education on a national level www.varganemenyi.fi (summer2006)

Varga-Neményi method : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 8 Varga-Neményi method Eszter C. Neményi April 14 2005 in Finnagora Budapest (on the left)

Mathematics Therapy : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 9 Mathematics Therapy Mathematics therapist Marja Dräger from Göttingen, Germany For dyscalculia pupils Established method AbacoMath learning objects are developed from the mathematics therapy exercises. More free learning objects will be at teachers and pupils disposal.

Mathematics Therapy : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 10 Mathematics Therapy http://www.edu.fi/oppimateriaalit/aihiot/eng/mathematics/complete/ http://www.edu.fi/oppimateriaalit/aihiot/eng/mathematics/find_different/ http://www.edu.fi/oppimateriaalit/aihiot/eng/mathematics/decomposing_2_9/ http://www.edu.fi/oppimateriaalit/aihiot/fi/matematiikka/lukujonot2/index.html

Mathematics Therapy Education For Teachers : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 11 Mathematics Therapy Education For Teachers Luotsi pilot courses 2003 -2004 There is continuous teacher training going on. 20 teachers have participated in the course. 10 are participating and more courses will be arranged. Goal is to train teachers to use and apply mathematics therapy in their own work. 84 hours lessons and exercises, literacy, at least one successful pupil rehabilitation Some materials and teachers study exercises are stored in closed Messenger groups. AbacoMath learning objects are part of rehabilitation.

Mathematics Therapy Education For Teachers : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 12 Mathematics Therapy Education For Teachers Mathematics therapist Marja Dräger and special needs teacher Hannele Ikäheimo

ICT And MathWonderLand : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 13 ICT And MathWonderLand E-mail (very important and essential tool) Www pages (general information) MSN groups: Tool for planning Material stores Interaction during and after the courses Other needs for communication (national level) Free AbacoMath learning objects as a support for special needs education

ICT In Special Education In The Future : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 14 ICT In Special Education In The Future Just as a hammer does not build the house, phone does not make a call, ICT does not automatically help or solve learning problems. The real interaction is the key in mathematics learning. We have a long way to go and make learning objects to be as interactive and as flexible as a real teacher is. (Is this even possible?) ICT is a one good tool among others.

ICT In Special Education In The Future : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 15 ICT In Special Education In The Future Do learning objects really help learning? More experience and research is needed. There are better learning objects and other internet material available all the time. New innovations: focus on understanding and automation: Simulations, virtual hands-on materials, games Internet connection at home to use free learning objects (this is almost realism in Espoo today) Maybe we do not even realize how fast the development advances, today’s optimistic dreams will be realized…

Short summary : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 16 Short summary Special needs education projects in MathWonderLand: Preschool: The Golden Cube (preventive) Classes 1 – 5: Varga-Neményi method (mathematics for all) Dyscalculia: Mathematics therapy (severe difficulties)

Further Information : 

08.12.2005 consultant teacher Anni Lampinen, City of Espoo 17 Further Information Anni Lampinen MathWonderLand/Suna SchoolP.o.box 3509FI- 02070 CITY OF ESPOO anni.lampinen@espoo.fi www.opperi.fi (AbacoMath) www.edu.fi www.espoo.fi/matikkamaa