Students and faculty present research at the NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual conference

Kayla Mead '23 and Madison Trent '23 presented “Learning to Teach Mathematics as Undergraduate Researchers,” sharing their findings from their multi-year research projects at the NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics annual conference. Erin Hone, senior lecturer in education presented, "Fluency versus Automaticity: Building True Procedural Fluency."

Teacher candidates enrolled in EDU 4200 and EDU 4300 this semester, taught by Katie Baker, assistant professor of education, and Mark Enfield, associate professor of education, attended the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) Annual Conference in November 2022. Teacher candidates attended presentation topics on socio-emotional learning in mathematics, mathematics identity and making mathematics manipulatives.

professor and students standing together in front of presentation screen
Erin Hone presents with Math and Science Methods students in attendance.

Another topic of interest was mathematics fluency, as presented by Erin Hone, senior lecturer in education. Hone’s presentation, titled “Fluency versus Automaticity: Building True Procedural Fluency,” drew parallels between fluency in reading and math. The goal of this practitioner-focused session was to distinguish between the rich elements of procedural fluency and simple automaticity. Participants explored the components of fluency, intertwined with the bigger picture of mathematical proficiency, along with ideas for assessing the various components.

Additionally Baker’s research mentees Kayla Mead ’23 and Madison Trent ’23 presented on “Learning to Teach Mathematics as Undergraduate Researchers,” sharing their findings from their multi-year research projects.

Two students standing beside screen with professor appearing on screen.
Trent ’23 and Mead ’23 present their finding with Dr. Katie Baker (on screen).

Mead, a Teaching Fellow, elementary education major and mathematics minor, discussed her project on prospective teachers’ perspectives on what is mathematics and what is mathematics teaching. Trent, an elementary education major and teaching English to speakers of another language (TESOL) minor, presented on her findings about using natural materials as mathematics manipulatives. Mead will next present at the International Academic Forum’s International Conference on Education in January, and both, Mead and Trent, will present at 2023 SURF.