The project's focus is the development and evaluation of five units that integrate mathematical content and pedagogical strategies in mathematics. The units are designed to illustrate topics in mathematics (distributivity, functions, Pythagorean theorem, basic combinatorics, and applications of modeling) that are central to the current secondary school mathematics curriculum, while offering excellent vehicles for illustrating new thrusts outlined by NCTM Standards. These units will provide preservice teachers with opportunities to see connections between a variety of mathematical topics and their applications; to experience the learning of mathematics with an eye toward structuring that mathematics for teaching; and to construct a vision of mathematics as a human activity built from reflection, activity, and modification of perceptions. The activities of the project will involve developing the units taking into consideration significant content at the secondary school level and elements of problem posing, problem solving, various mathematical representations and pedagogical approaches, and available technology where appropriate. The units will be field tested at three American universities and will be reviewed by outstanding teachers, teacher educators, and mathematicians. Reports will be written on the impact of the units on the preservice teachers' conceptions of mathematics and the teaching of mathematics as they engage the units. The units will be developed by an international team of mathematics educators and mathematicians, all experienced in writing materials for perservice teachers. The cost sharing has been negotiated to the level of 26.7% of the funds requested from NSF.
