PBS Mathline Does Inservice for K-8
Public television stations throughout the U.S. work with local education entities and teacher groups as part of the PBS Mathline service.
Initially begun in 1994 with the Middle School Math Project, the service expanded in the fall of 1996 when it debuted its Elementary School Math Project.
In both Math Projects, teachers can participate in a year-long professional development program based on NCTM standards and featuring "learning communities." Each "community" comprises 25-30 teachers, plus a facilitator who engage in discussions and dialogue via telecommunications.
Participants in either Math Project receive a videotape series of 20-25 lessons, each 25 minutes in length, that illustrate NCTM Standards-based teaching and learning videotaped in actual classrooms. They also get printed guides that include comprehensive lesson plans for all videos plus ideas for online discussion topics.
Districts benefit as well, since the program lets them offer high-quality inservice, year-round, for $500 per teacher. PBS Mathline, Alexandria, VA, (703) 739-5071, www.pbs.org/mathline.
This article originally appeared in the 02/01/1997 issue of THE Journal.