Extended meeting of Saratov State University research and methodology council on pedagogical education took place at the Lyceum of Mathematics and Informatics on December, 7. The meeting concerned the work of Corporate Department of Mathematics and Informatics in the LMI as part of implementing the concept of mathematics education development in the Russian Federation.
The meeting opened with a plenary session conducted by the Vice-rector for educational work E.G. Elina. She highlighted the fact that opening the Department of Mathematics and Informatics is not the only case of cooperation with schools – the University has the Department of Philology and Media Education at the Lyceum of Humanities and Economics. SSU Rector A.N. Chumachenko thanked the Lyceum of Mathematics and Informatics and its director L.A. Revutskaia for their hospitality and support. “This is a know-how, and SSU was the first to cooperate in such a way”, said the Rector. It is important to mention that the new law “On education” allows opening corporate departments not only at research enterprises but also at university partner organizations. In 2013, SSU initiated opening corporate department at two Saratov lyceums. “We see great interest from university and school students and teachers. It gives us a need to work together”, summed up A.N. Chumachenko.
Associate Professor of the Department of Mathematic Analysis E.V. Razumovskaia talked about the concept of math education development in Russia and work of the corporate department. In her presentation she outlined the concept foundation history and explained its significance. She drew a comparison between Russian and American math education concluding that its level in Russia goes down a little. This problem could be fixed by cooperation of schools and university.
Lyceum director L.A. Revutskaia talked about the origins of this cooperation. When School № 113 became the Lyceum of Mathematics and Informatics, team work of school teachers SSU Faculty of Mathematics professors became a regular practice. L.A. Revutskaia boasted about the success of the Lyceum students: they participate in scientific conferences, win regional and All-Russia Olympiads. Chair of the Corporate Department of Mathematics and Informatics A.V. Kharlamov talked in detail about the work of students and SSU representatives from the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics and Education and Research Institute of Nanostructures and Biosystems.
LMI students presented their reports made for “Otkrytie” conference that is held by University and Lyceum together. The Department supports the project “Simply about Difficult” where university teachers explain ins and outs of science. Additionally, lyceum students study biology, physics, and astronomy. On top of that, MSU teachers visit the Lyceum and give lectures. Recently University of Bergen Professor A.Yu. Vasiliev (Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics graduate) visited the Lyceum.
SSU professors and LMI teachers demonstrated their team work. Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Algebra and Number Theory A.M. Vodolazov and teacher N.E. Larionova conducted a math club meeting; Associate Professor of the Department of Mathematic Analysis E.V. Razumovskaia and teacher L.S. Lagutkina prepared a special course on “Elementary Mathematics Extras”. At the extracurricular class on “Nonstandard Solutions of School Math Problems” senior teacher of the Department of Differential Equations and Applied Mathematics O.Yu. Dmitriev and teacher E.V. Zlobin demonstrated student collective and individual work synthesis. At the 10th grade geometry class, Associate Professor of the Department of Functions and Approximations Theory E.V. Gudoshnikova and teacher D.A. Nakorenok explained several ways of finding section area. Intervision group conducted by Chair of the Corporate Department of Mathematics and Informatics A.V. Kharlamov and teacher T.V. Kaiukova got great attention. They talked about Federal State Education Standards and preparing for State Exams.
The meeting finished with a round table discussion chaired by Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics Dean A.M. Zakharov. The participants discussed what they had seen at the lessons and platforms. They highlighted an innovative approach to cooperative work of school and university teachers. E.G. Elina drew attention to the fact that school teachers know the program deeply and understand the level of their students. School students’ level of knowledge and their communication with teachers made a great impression on the council members. LMI director thanked students and teachers for their work and wished everyone success at work.
