High Fidelity Teaching: Understanding the Significance of Stereotype Threat in Mathematics

Engagement is an essential element to learning. Why is it so difficult to engage some learners --especially in mathematics? This interactive session will focus on strategies for engaging all learners for optimal learning with special consideration given to ‘stereotype threat’ and ‘fixed mindset’ as potential barriers to engagement in mathematics, particularly for diverse learners.

Why do students not engage with mathematics in the U.S.? Many explanations exist:

• Students just don't care and/or aren't motivated
• Parents don't care
• Students lack ability
• Poor teaching methods in schools/universities
• Foundational knowledge is lacking

I provide an alternative to the common themes above: Stereotype Threat and explore the following:

• What is Stereotype Threat Theory?
•  Fascinating research
• Who is affected? 
• What are the effects of Stereotype Threat?
• What can we do about it?

Here is the link to my presentation for Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics 2014:

http://bit.ly/MCTMStereotype