TE-MAT Descriptors

TE-MAT descriptors are a specific set of codes that are assigned to reviews of the TE-MAT materials. This set of descriptors is not meant to be comprehensive in scope. Rather, it includes several common purposes of professional development that serve as key elements of the Conceptual Framework of the database, additional issues and topics for the classroom that may be of interest to users, as well as specific topic areas in science and mathematics. These descriptors serve as the basis for searches of the database, enabling users to readily locate materials with specific features or a major focus on any of the designated purposes or topics.

i. Purposes For Professional Development of Mathematics/Science Teachers

Although it is possible that a given material can be used for quite a few purposes, descriptors are used to code only the author's stated purpose(s) or, if not explicitly stated by the author, ones which were clearly intended to be a purpose. Each of the purpose descriptors is described below.

Professional development models

Materials in this category address general issues regarding the design and implementation of professional development programs, including the preparation of professional development providers. They focus on issues that go beyond the details of how to implement a particular professional development program, and contain information that is applicable to designing/implementing professional development in general.

National standards

Materials in this category explicitly address and/or explore U.S. national standards for science and/or mathematics education. Materials in this category focus in depth on the standards; materials that are simply standards-based or make brief reference to the standards are not assigned this descriptor.

Content knowledge

Materials in this category address content topics in depth for the purpose of deepening teacher content knowledge. They go beyond simply using mathematics or science content as a vehicle to address pedagogical issues.

Science of Learning

Materials in this category focus on understanding student thinking and learning, and go beyond a discussion of strategies to informally or formally assess student understanding. Some materials will contain examples of student products in print, providing a resource for close examination of students' work in professional development settings.

Classroom methods

Materials in this category focus heavily on classroom strategy or strategies such as working with diverse learners; integrating mathematics, science, and literature; implementing inquiry-based instruction; and using technology.

Systemic reform

Materials in this category deal in depth with aspects of change required for education reform at a variety of levels including individual, program, school, and system-wide change.

Research

Materials in this category focus on conducting, interpreting, or using research in a classroom or professional development setting (including action research), or feature a substantive focus on results of such research. They go beyond simply being research-based or containing short summaries of research.

Program assessment

Materials in this category address issues regarding the evaluation of professional development programs, including evaluation, design, data collection instruments, and analysis and reports of evaluation results.

Student assessment

This category includes materials focused on assessment, whether it is formal, informal, specific strategies or general treatment of the topic.

Selecting instructional materials

Materials in this category provide information on selecting a broad range of materials, including individual classroom materials, large-scale curriculum programs, and all levels of instructional materials in between.

Teacher work

This descriptor refers to teacher work done inside or outside of the classroom (e.g., results of action research, classroom teaching, or participation in professional development). Descriptions/examples in this category are portrayed through a variety of media, including video and print.

ii. Issues and Topics for the Classroom

Administration

Materials in this category relate to the role administrators play in providing instructional leadership as well as day-to-day management of activities in schools where relevant to the science and mathematics curriculum.

Informal science (museums, zoos, etc.)

Describes informal science education resources, generally programs and experiences developed outside the classroom by institutions and organizations that include:

• children’s and natural history museums, science-technology centers, planetariums, zoos and aquaria, botanical gardens and arboreta, parks, nature centers and environmental education centers, and scientific research laboratories
• media, involving print, film, broadcast, and electronic forms
• community-based organizations and projects, including youth organizations and community outreach services

Technology Instructional Tools

Materials in this category includes not just computers, but measurement instruments (such as probes), PDAs, satellite receivers for weather, GPS, Internet, and more.

Technology Skills

Materials in this category feature what are commonly called "21st Century Skills," which may be taught as a separate or integrated area of content; includes researching, writing, linking, blogging, podcasting, use of digital video, and so on.

Safety

Describes procedures and guidelines schools and educators should enforce or follow to ensure high quality science instruction that is safe --including laboratory investigations, interactive or demonstration activities and field trips.

Facilities

This category contains materials that discuss the issues of safety, accessibility, and liability of science education facilities, such as science rooms, labs, preparation rooms, student project rooms, and furnishings.

Multiculturalism

Materials in this category help teachers meet the learning needs of all students in the science classroom and/or provide practical insights into how to give students an appreciation of the contributions that all cultures make to scientific knowledge.

Problem solving

Materials in this category demonstrate or challenge concept application, inquiry, and process skills.

Teaching strategies

This category contains materials that provide a framework for coordinating the specific needs of students with desired educational outcomes and the education research literature, including planning lessons and units, selecting activities and curriculum, and analyzing the role of the teacher.

Inquiry

The National Science Education Standards (NSES p. 23) defines scientific inquiry as "the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Scientific inquiry also refers to the activities through which students develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world."

Science fairs

Describes resources that include tips for planning, facilitating, and judging fairs and most importantly enhancing the learning experience for all who participate.

Special education

Features materials that offer instructional activities or special learning experiences designed primarily for students with certain cognitive or physical disabilities.

Curriculum models

Materials in this category feature a conceptual framework and organizational structure for decision making about educational priorities, administrative policies, instructional methods, and evaluation criteria.

Assessment

Materials in this category describe the process of observing learning; describing, collecting, recording, scoring, and interpreting information about a student's or one's own learning. Traditionally, student assessments are used to determine achievement of learning objectives and grades, and they may be formative or summative in nature.

iii Topic Area

Topic area descriptors are assigned to materials that address a specific topic area in depth, either to deepen content knowledge or to address pedagogical issues using content as a vehicle.

Science topic areas

A science topic area descriptor may apply to materials for the elementary, middle, and/or high school levels. For example, an elementary material about machines is assigned the "physics" descriptor, and a middle school material about the structure of matter is assigned the "chemistry" descriptor. Science topic area descriptors are:

Mathematics topic areas

A mathematics topic area descriptor may apply to materials for the elementary, middle, and/or high school levels. Mathematics topic area descriptors are:

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TE-MAT
Teacher Education Materials Project
A Database for K-12 Mathematics and Science Professional Development Providers