This project intends to investigate uses of computers in mathematics classrooms and to develop research capabilities of teachers for the purpose of improving their leadership skills. There are four goals to the proposed project: 1. To implement in algebra and geometry classrooms computer software by introducing teachers to research methods and developing instructional stategies for the transition of the software to traditional curricular materials and methods; 2. To conduct formative evaluation research and empower teachers as leaders to investigate the effectiveness of the software implementation; 3. To develop peer training activities that enable the teachers as researchers to share their findings and instructional methods with their peers; 4. To disseminate the results of the research. The plan consists of having four faculty members from North Carolina State University work collaboratively with high school mathematics teachers who have been identified locally as expert teachers. The team meets for two weeks during the summer for initial investigations and this is followed by monthly meetings throughout the year. The work at first is to focus on the potentials that the tool software offers to the existing curriculum. Seven of the lead teachers were involved in an initial pilot study and they have experience with the software. They will serve as resource teachers for the other teachers in the study, for a total of 27 initial participants. The team will develop materials to provide the interface between the computer software and the traditional textual materials and then share the results of the project activities with other teachers in their districts. The research methods will be used to evaluate the results as well as to analyze learning styles in light of the infusion of technology.
