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“Thinking classrooms” was the topic for presentations made by South ��ֱ���� State University graduate student Annamarie Dobbs and professor Christine Larson at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Spring Conference in Kansas City Feb. 5-7.

A thinking classroom is a concept developed by math educator Peter Liljedahl to stimulate students to think more during classroom instruction.

Dobbs was a lead speaker in the 75-minute workshop “Notetaking and Vertical Whiteboards: How Students Take Notes in a Thinking Classroom.”

“I described how I have used vertical whiteboards and notetaking strategies to help students learn and remember mathematics. This session focused on random grouping (of students), classroom discussion and graphic organizers. I provided examples of how teachers can make changes that will transform their classrooms into thinking classrooms,” Dobbs said.

Larson gave the 45-minute presentation “The Impact of Implementing Building Thinking Classroom Ideas in All My Classes.”

She said, “I have implemented several of the practices recommended in Peter Liljedahl's book ‘Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics’ in my courses. I discussed how I altered my practices and the data I collected that resulted from these changes. 

“With only a few adjustments to my lesson plans, I observed drastic changes in my students’ attitudes and aptitudes. I shared both qualitative and quantitative data to explain these positive changes.”

The conference theme was “Empowering Our Students to Experience the World Through a Mathematical Lens.”

Reflecting on the conference, Dobbs said, “The conference was a great opportunity for me. A graduate student rarely gets to be the lead speaker in a workshop, and the teachers welcomed our ideas and asked great questions. All three days were packed with learning and networking, filling my ‘toolbox’ as I prepare to enter the classroom next year.”

Larson said, “The conference was an opportunity to connect with colleagues from other institutions, to see what groundbreaking teaching techniques could be applied to my classroom or should be part of my Methods of Teaching Mathematics curriculum, and to showcase innovative instructional techniques faculty at SDSU are utilizing. 

“Allowing students to experience a national conference as undergraduates will inspire them to continue participating once they are professionals in their fields.”

In addition to Larson and Dobbs, the SDSU delegation included undergraduates Rose Gutenkauf, Austin Iwen, Jacie Staedtler, Nicole Swanson and Marcus Winter. All also are members of the SDSU student chapter of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, which is one of only 29 affiliates of the council.