All instructors (not just math!)
Teachers and faculty from all disciplines will gain from this program.
Group program / Workshop
Equity & Power Dynamics in an Inquiry-Based Math Class
Make your inquiry-based sessions successful for all students.
99%
found sessions valuable
96%
would attend again
93%
found session inspiring
15+
years of experience
Good inquiry isn't about students just working at the board.
All students should have a space to participate and thrive. How we structure student-centered activities can determine how effective it is.
- Teachers and faculty are rarely trained on effective student-centered practices.
- Implicit biases (your unconscious biases) can affect student engagement and outcomes.
- You need to account for societal The issues that affect our society are also in the classroom and you need
Learn how to design and implement successful student-centered classroom activities.
Dr. Geillan Aly
is a mathematics educator and former award winning Assistant Professor who received her PhD in Teaching and Teacher Education and a Master’s in Mathematics from the University of Arizona.
Her research focuses on the emotional side of learning mathematics and includes how computer-centered learning has affected students’ abilities to control their learning environment and how meditation may reduce mathematics anxiety.
Dr. Aly has been teaching at the university level for over ten years and, without sacrificing rigor, brings a personalized math learning experience to the classroom through active learning methods and by centering students’ emotional well-being. She is very familiar with the Common Core Standards and has experience teaching mathematics to Middle and High School students.
Underlying all of Dr. Aly’s teaching and research is a dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice in mathematics education. She enjoys traveling, seeing live music, and is an avid chef. Geillan is also a wife and mother of a beautiful boy. They live near Hartford, CT.
Who is this for?
Teachers and university faculty who are interested in inquiry-based activities but find that some students are still not fully engaged in lessons.
Faculty who are "inquiry-curious"
Learn how to design activities that engages students while increasing the effectiveness of the lesson.
Those with inconsistent engagement
There may be an equity factor you are not considering.
What you'll learn
- Why equity is more important in an inquiry-style class than in a more traditional class.
- How to develop activities so students can fully participate.
- How to leverage power dynamics to support student learning.
Formal Abstract
The prevailing impression of student-centered classes is that they are a more equitable space for students to learn, with gender and racial dynamics seeming to be a non-issue for student outcomes. However, there is research to indicate that this may not be the case; not all student-centered activities eliminate or reduce differences between marginalized and non-marginalized groups. In this talk, we will explore how power dynamics and mapping implicit biases can be used as a framework to create or troubleshoot student-centered classroom activities to ensure a more equitable outcome. We will specifically explore how structuring the power dynamics inherent in any activity can provide more equitable interactions between students, providing a space for all students to participate and thrive. Participants will have an opportunity to apply this framework to their current practices and as such, they are invited to bring plans and materials for a student-centered lesson which they would like to modify to ensure more equitable student participation.
What people are saying
reinforced the need to reach students where they are at and empower them to be self-motivated.
It was very related to problems I thought happened to just me but I learned how relevant it is to everyone else. It shows the reason behind why math seems scary and helps work through it.
Finally something that’s attainable!
Refreshing and attainable! Practical
Thank you for this gift.
The session was very interactive to help us she how to interact with students using the shared board. Great explanation of Inquiry Based Learning and how it works.
Interactive, easy talk listen to, talk to, express, real life Classroom Interactions
Honestly, I am a science major and this class really merged well with the Chemistry aspects of formulas. I really enjoyed the valuable information presented today. How Geillan presented the information was helping be be confident in my response rather than making me feel like I did not know how to respond. I respect that very much her way of teaching and development.
It is an amazing support for working with students to move with confidence and engagement on their individual paths.
It was great! Exactly what I needed at this point in the semester.
If I had to [describe] this session to a friend or colleague I would tell them that we are all capable of do good in math and even with all the barriers that we might encounter, we can always become successful.
A great workshop to help you dive deeper into the introspection of your teaching.
Great speaker! Very knowledgeable and passionate about her work.
I found that her study tips would be helpful for more than just math class.
It was challenging and empowering. A timely reminder to retain and prioritize our compassion in the work of math education.
