Gloria Ladson-Billings
Equity in the Mathematics Classroom
UW-Madison Professor Emerita Gloria Ladson-Billings led a session on Equity in the Mathematics Classroom. Her research examines the pedagogical practices of teachers who are successful with African American students. Details on her past and current work are included in her
For the plenary, Ladson-Billings began with the idea that there is nothing inherent about math that makes it difficult or inaccessible, but there is something about the perspective people have about math. Why, for example, is it OK to say “I’m no good at math” when you wouldn’t say that about reading? She stressed the need to get past the notion that math is only for some people and talked about how we teach math, which she characterizes as the harder conversation because most people teach as they were taught. She shared strategies to foster human connections, empower students, and communicate the big ideas of a discipline or course.
The recorded plenary (or see PPT) is part of the UW System Math Initiative June Professional Professional Workshop June 1 to 11. Details are provided in the
Please direct any questions to Alice Pulvermacher at apulvermacher@uwsa.edu.