Frequently Asked Questions

How is this program normally implemented?

• The OMP is designed to prepare future teachers to facilitate math problem solving and communication. It typically is integrated as one unit within an undergraduate course in math problem solving or math methods.
• Read Incorporating the OMP in the Math Education Classroom to learn how Klay Kruczek implements the program at Western Oregon University.
• Two other veteran partners have published a paper on the project: Online Mentoring with the Math Forum: A Capstone Experience for Preservice K-8 Teachers in a Mathematics Content Problem-Solving Class, by Mary De Young, Hope College, and Maria G. Fung, Western Oregon University.
• The OMP could also be used as a module in a graduate course or as inservice professional development for practicing teachers.

How much time out of an academic term should I plan to dedicate to this project?

• This depends of a variety of factors, including class schedules, how the instructor balances work in class with work outside of class, student mentors' access to technology and comfort level with it.
• The Online Mentoring Guide, a Blackboard Vista (formerly WebCT) training module, typically takes about two weeks, given normal class schedules, but can be compacted or stretched out longer, if your schedule allows.
• Student mentors spend another two weeks replying to actual submitters to one of our Problems of the Week. They normally mentor about 8 student submissions each.

What are the faculty instructor's responsibilities?

• During the OMG phase, instructors
• set a schedule of assignment deadlines;
• monitor and participate in discussions (either in class or online);
• summarize student input to create a class-generated Solution Expectations document;
• summarize student input to create a class Mentoring Critique document;
• lead students through study of the problem they'll mentor and the Expected Solutions and Scoring Grid.
• During the live mentoring phase instructors are responsible for "approving" their student mentors' replies, which often involves requesting changes from the mentor before the reply is sent to the child. It can be somewhat labor intensive, so some instructors plan ways to adjust their work load during those two weeks. Teaching Assistants can be very helpful with the approval process, if any are available.

How are faculty instructors prepared to lead the OMP?

• Faculty (Group Leaders) and their TAs participate in a section of the course simulating what their student mentors will be doing. That is about a four week process prior to using it in class. (This is only before using the OMP for the very first time.) The Math Forum's OMP Manager leads the Group Leader course and will be the approver for your replies during the live mentoring phase.
• Group Leader training should take place during an academic term prior to using it with your students, so that you can plan for effective implementation.
• Following that you all will be in a good position to use the course with your own students and to approve their replies to submitters.

Do participants in the Group Leader section need to be available at specific times?

• No. There will be a few intermediate deadlines, so that participants can send feedback and receive it from others in a timely fashion. You will also need to be ready to begin the live mentoring phase at the appropriate time, about 15 days after the start of the course. Otherwise, you can work at your own pace.

How do I become involved?

• Email Claire Mead, Project Manager. Describe your interest. She will get in touch with you.

Can OMP participants work in partnership with local schools?

• Absolutely! We welcome projects which take advantage of ongoing relationships with classes or schools or that establish new connections.

Can individuals participate in the OMP?

• The OMP is a group activity by design. It takes advantage of exchanges among participants and strives to develop colleagueship among them. It is sometimes possible to include one or two individuals within a group from another institution, if scheduling details can be worked out.
• The Math Forum has another program through which individuals may be trained to mentor student submitters to our Problems of the Week. Email Claire for more information.

Other questions? Please Email Claire.