ABOUT DTE@ Mathematics

Developing Teaching Expertise (DTE) @ Mathematics is a materials development project at the University of Michigan School of Education. The multidisciplinary team builds practice-focused professional development modules for elementary mathematics teachers. The multimedia materials create opportunities for professional development (PD) groups and professional learning communities (PLCs) to learn from leading mathematics teacher educators about key topics in elementary mathematics education.

Foundational Approach

Elementary mathematics teaching involves enabling students to productively interact with mathematics content within their classroom and school  environment(s). As such, professional development materials need to be designed in ways that enhance the skills and knowledge necessary for “doing” mathematics teaching. The DTE materials focus attention on both knowledge and skills because, in practice, it is necessary to employ them simultaneously. Thus, DTE materials are designed to engage practicing teachers in activities that use practice-based contexts to work in an integrated way on knowledge and skills. To further advance the potential for learning, the modules utilize extensive footage of well-known mathematics teacher educators in-action, putting their expertise at the fingertips of facilitators who can use these videos  to prepare themselves for leading PD sessions or to show at their local site to support teacher learning.