The conference focused on providing teacher training to bridge the gaps found in teaching writing, geometry and problem solving to students in K-12.
On the first day of the conference, Spencin James, president of the College of Micronesia-FSM, and Jimmy Hicks, COM director of research and planning, explained that the entrance test results of students applying for COM, the COMET, showed particular weaknesses in writing and math.
These same weaknesses were spotlighted in the results from the FSM National Standardized Tests for Students and the National Standardized Tests for Teachers.
The conference was therefore organized this year to address some of the issues revealed by the COMET and NST results.
The week of training gave teachers tools and strategies to improve both their knowledge and teaching methods.
Workshops covered topics such as: Incorporating Writing in Teaching Math Problem Solving, Understanding Math System Through Software Based Programs, Math Problems for Primary School Teachers, Use of Geometry Boards, and Motivating Reluctant Writers.
