The top photo shows the APEC lesson study specialists who meet twice a year under this project. In 2010, they meet in Tokyo (February) and Chiangmai (November). The lower photo shows Singapore teachers' visit to a junior high school after the conference.
The Fourth APEC-Tsukuba International Conference: Innovation of Mathematics Teaching and Learning through Lesson Study with the theme of Connection between Assessment and Subject Matter is an extension of the APEC HRD Lesson Study Project 03/2006, 02/2007, 02/2008 under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Science, Japan and the Ministry of Education, Thailand.
This conference is part of the Lesson Study for Implementing Curriculum: Developing Innovative Assessment Problem HRD 01/2010 which aims to improve mathematics and science teaching. Tsukuba University Japan and Khon Kaen University Thailand are the conveners of this project.
I am at the conference on the invitation of Tsukuba University as one of what the project called country specialists. Four Singapore teams are at the conference to see firsthand lesson study in Japan. The teams are Da Qiao Primary, North Vista Primary, Woodlands Ring Primary and TDD, Ministry of Education. They will be facilitating lesson study among their colleagues. 2010 will see more Singapore schools embarking on lesson study.
I also hear that Director General of Education (DGE) will mention lesson study in the context of PLC during the PILLARS conference in March.
Lesson Study, originated in Japan in the last quarter of 19th century, is now a well-known approach used for curriculum development and implementation, developing innovative teaching approaches as well as facilitating teachers’ professional development.
This conference is a platform for the specialists in the respective countries to plan a lesson study programme for their country. In November 2010, a conference will be held in Chiangmai, Thailand where the results of the programme will be reported.
18 February, 2010: Lesson Study at Attached Elementary School, University of Tsukuba
Morning Session: Research lesson in science with English translation. About 5000 Japanese teachers took part in the many open lessons that took place over two days.
Afternoon Session: Specialists’ session for the project HRD 01/2010s with relation to Assessments
For Singapore participants, the research lesson is a highlight. It is also a good networking session to meet people from Japanese schools. The afternoon session is for specialists. Singapore participants can decide if they want to attend this session with me.
19 February, 2010: Lesson Study at Attached Elementary School, University of Tsukuba
Morning Session
Two research lessons in mathematics class with English translation
Afternoon Session
Specialists’ session for the project HRD 01/2010s with relation to Materials
For Singapore participants, the research lesson is a highlight. It is also a good networking session to meet people from Japanese schools. The afternoon session is for specialists. Singapore participants can decide if the want to attend the session.
20 February, 2010: Plenary Conference focusing on Assessment
Venue: United Nations University, Tokyo
Morning Session: Keynote Session
Opening Ceremony
Mathematical Literacy on the OECD-PISA
Improvement of Teaching by improving National Assessment in the case of Japan
Professional Development through Lesson Study in the case of Thailand
Afternoon Session: APEC Economies’ Session
Short lectures: Challenges of the Improvement of Teaching from Improvement of Assessment Test
Panel Discussion
21 February, 2010: Plenary Conference focusing on Materials for Lesson Study
Venue: United Nations University, Tokyo
Morning Session: Keynote Session
Development of Mathematics Textbooks and Tools in 20th century
Problem Solving Approach Emended in Japanese Textbooks
Plan for Professional Development using Japanese Textbooks in the cases of Mexico and Thailand
Afternoon Session: APEC Economies’ Session
Short lectures: Developing Teacher Training Textbooks for Lesson Study
Panel Discussion
For Singapore participants, this two-day conference will provide food-for-thought for the lesson study journey that your schools will embark on.
The Singapore team also visited a junior high school the day after the conference.
Websites for the Conference
http://www.criced.tsukuba.ac.jp/math/apec/
http://math-info.criced.tsukuba.ac.jp/
http://www.criced.tsukuba.ac.jp/math/apec/apec2009/index_en.php
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