ISU Student and Professor Share Research on Creating Equitable Learning Environments

Cory A. Bennett, Professor of Mathematics Education and Chair of the Teaching and Educational Studies Department in the Idaho State University College of Education, and Mr. Michael “Mick” Morgan, fourth grade teacher from Jefferson Elementary School in the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District, presented their emerging research findings at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) annual conference held in Los Angeles, California. This is their third joint presentation at NCTM.

Their presentation, titled Creating Equitable Class Discussions with Remote Learning, provided research-based guidance for educators on how to support students in learning mathematics through equitable, whole-class discourse regardless of the mode of instructional delivery. This presentation stems from their recent joint publication "Developing Norms with Silent Discussions," also through NCTM, but extends the research to consider the different ways in which teachers and students engage in learning mathematics through remote or blended instruction.

“There are so many amazing teachers in Idaho and it is particularly special to watch them grow as leaders as they engage in research to advance the profession and then share their expertise at the premier mathematics teaching conference,” said Bennett. “It just goes to show that some of the best and cutting edge work is happening in classrooms right here in Idaho.”

NCTM is the world’s largest mathematics teacher organization with approximately 150,000 members. The organization strives to rehumanize mathematics teaching by advocating for high-quality mathematics education and learning for all students.  To learn more about NCTM, please visit https://www.nctm.org.