Center for the Scholarship of Teaching < Events < 2001

Center Events: Speaker Series

Magdalene Lampert (University of Michigan)
Teaching Problems and the Problems of Teaching
October 23, 2001

Dr. Lampert, who pioneered the role of scholar-teacher at Michigan State University, published a book based on her teaching while on the MSU faculty. In this book, Lampert takes us into her fifth grade math class through the course of a year, showing how classroom dynamics--the complex relationship of teacher, student, and content--are critical in the process of bringing each student to a deeper understanding of mathematics, or any other subject. She offers valuable insights into students and teaching for all who are concerned about improving the learning that happens in the classroom.

Lampert considers the teacher’s and students’ work from many different angles, in views large and small. She analyzes her own practice in a particular classroom, student by student and moment by moment. She also investigates the particular kind of teaching that aims at engaging elementary school students in learning fundamentally important ideas and skills by working on problems. Finally, she looks at the common problems of teaching that occur regardless of the individuals, subject matters, or kinds of practice involved. Lampert arrives at an original model of teaching practice that casts new light on the complexity in teachers’ work and on the ways teachers can successfully deal with teaching problems.

Dr. Lampert is currently professor of educational studies, School of Education, University of Michigan. She will speak about her book from 4:00 until 5:00 and there will be 30 minutes of open discussion. We have arranged with the bookstore to have a table with the book available for purchase at that time, if any members of the audience would like to purchase it. The book’s title is, Teaching Problems and the Problems of Teaching (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2001).