2011 TC Research
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College Columbia University

Research

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Alexander P. Karp

Professional Background

Educational Background

B.A., M.A. in Mathematics and Education, Leningrad State Pedagogical University
M.A. in History and Education, St. Petersburg State Pedagogical University
Ph.D. in Mathematics and Education, St. Petersburg State Pedagogical University

Languages: Russian, English, German, Latin

Scholarly Interests

Gifted education
Problem Solving
History of Mathematics Education

Selected Publications

selected publication

Karp, A.  (2008). Which problems do teachers consider beautiful? A comparative study. For
the Learning of Mathematics, 28(1), 36-43.

Karp, A. (2007). Once more about the quadratic trinomial: (On the formation of
methodological skills).  Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 10 (4-6), 405-414

Karp, A.  (2007). We all meandered through our schooling. Notes on Russian
mathematics education during the first third of the nineteenth century. British Society
for the History of Mathematics Bulletin, Vol. 22, 104-119.

Exams in Mathematics: Russian Experiments. Mathematics Teacher, 2003, 96(5),336-342

Examining the Interactions between Mathematical Content and Pedagogical Form: Notes on the Structure of the Lesson. For the Learning of Mathematics. 2004, Vol.24, # 1, 40-47

Conducting Research and Solving Problems: The Russian Experience of Inservice Training. In T. Watanabe & D. Thompson (Eds.) The Work of Mathematics Teacher Educators. Exchanging Ideas for Effective Practice. AMTE, 2004, 35-48

honors and awards

  • Golden medal for academic excellence, 1976
  • Federal Medal for Outstanding Teaching, 1989
  • Winner of the St. Petersburg Textbook Competition, 1993
  • Soros Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award, 1994
  • Soros Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award, 1995
  • Soros Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award, 1998
  • Soros Foundation Outstanding Teacher Award, 2001
  • Winner of the Russian National Textbook Competition, 1999
  • Winner of the Russian National Textbook Competition, 2000
  • Winner of the Russian National Textbook Competition, 2001
  • Winner of the Russian National Textbook Competition, 2002


principal publications

PUBLICATIONS

Books

  1. Problems for Mathematics Exams. St. Petersburg. Orakul, 1997, 1999, 2000
  2. Algebraic Problems for Grade 7 (with L. Efstafieva) Moscow, "Drofa" 1998, 2000
  3. Algebraic Problems for Grade 8 (with L. Efstafieva). Moscow, "Drofa", 1999, 2000.
  4. Mathematics in St. Petersburg school. Resource guide. (with V. Nekrasov). St. Petersburg, "Spezial'naya literature", 2000.
  5. Mathematics for Grade 11: Textbook (with A. Werner), Moscow, Prosveschenie, 2001, 2002.
  6. Algebraic Problems for Grade 9 (with L. Efstafieva). Moscow, "Drofa", 2001
  7. A Collection of Problems to Be Used in Mathematics Exams (Experimental). (with V.Nekrasov) - St. Petersburg, SMIO-PRESS, 2000, 2001
  8. Mathematics for Grade 10: A Collection of Problems (with A. Werner), Moscow, Prosveschenie, 2002.
  9. Mathematics for Grade 11: A Collection of Problems (with A. Werner and L. Efstafieva), Moscow, Prosveschenie, in print.

Articles In Journals and Collected papers

  1. Russian Schools for the Mathematically and Scientifically Talented: Can the Vision Survive Unchanged? (with E.F. Donoghue & B.R.Vogeli). Roeper Review, vol-22. #2, January, 2000, 121-122.
  2. The Preparation of Teachers of the Mathematically Gifted: An International Perspective (with L. Evered). NCSSSMST Journal, vol. 5, # 2, May, 2000, 6-8.
  3. Exams in Mathematics (secondary school) - Russian experience: traditions, changes, difficulties. - In Abstracts of Plenary Lectures and Regular Lectures at ICME-9, 2000, 64-65.
  4. Combining Russian and Western Approaches in Teaching Mathematics to Students of Humanities. - in Proceedings of the Conference "Cultural Diversity in Mathematics (Education)" Oral Presentations in Working Groups, Chichester, University College of Chichester, 2000, p.223-230.
  5. Classroom Activity vs. Examination: Beliefs and Practice in Mathematics Education (a Russian/UK Comparative Study) (with W.Evans and O. Ivanov) - in Proceedings of the Conference "Cultural Diversity in Mathematics (Education)", Workshops, Chichester, University College of Chichester, 2000, p.209-216.
  6. Classic of Mathematics Education. Accepted for publication by "Matematika v schkole".
  7. Thirty Years After: the Lives of Former Winners of Mathematical Olympiads Accepted for publication by "Roeper Revue".
  8. Exams in Mathematics: Russian Experiments Submitted to "The Mathematics Teacher"
  9. Math Problems in Blocks: How to Write Them and Why. Accepted for publication by "PRIMUS"

Number of articles in the Russian national press on education issues; own column in the newspaper The Soviet Teacher between 1989-1991

Research reports
Results of Research into Student Achievement Level in Mathematics. Annual Reports (1993-1998)
Results of TACIS CITY-TWINNING PROJECT "Independent Examination and Assessment", 1998.

MSTM 4005: Teaching mathematics in diverse cultures

Principles, techniques, and issues in the teaching of mathematics in other cultural and national settings. Study tour of schools and institutions in various nations.

MSTM 4020: Mathematics teaching and learning II

Historical/comparative study of mathematical education programs in the United States and abroad. Current research in mathematics education.

MSTM 4023: Mathematics for exceptional students

Content, methods, and instructional models for teaching exceptional students, including LED, LD, and MT students.

MSTM 4034: Exploring secondary school mathematics

For students who are preparing to teach in secondary school. The mathematical content of advanced secondary school mathematics and the development and application of fundamental ideas in mathematics.

MSTM 4038: Finite mathematics

Statements, propositions, and sets; vectors and matrices; probability. Applications: finite Markov chains, game theory.

MSTM 5032: Topics in geometry/ topology

Foundation of geometry/topology. Emphasis upon the relationship between topology and geometry and other mathematical areas.

MSTM 5037: History of mathematics

Historical development of major ideas in mathematics. Contributions of noteworthy mathematicians. Analysis of mathematical classics.

MSTM 6032: Advanced topics in geometry/topology

Foundation of geometry/topology. Emphasis upon the relationship between topology and geometry and other mathematical areas.

MSTM 6500: Research seminar in mathematics education

Permission required. Research oriented seminars dealing with a variety of issues and leading to preparation of preliminary proposals for the doctoral dissertation. Required for doctoral students.

MSTM 6501: Research seminar in mathematics education

Permission required. Research oriented seminars dealing with a variety of issues and leading to preparation of preliminary proposals for the doctoral dissertation. Required for doctoral students.

Centers and Projects

Harlem Schools Partnership
Website: http://www.tc.edu/hsp

The Harlem Schools Partnership (HSP) for STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is a collaborative effort of Teachers College (TC), and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at Columbia University in association with the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) and with support from the General Electric Foundation.

The mission of the HSP is to improve STEM education by helping schools create rich environments for STEM teaching and learning.  We accomplish this through professional development that strengthens curriculum, increases teacher knowledge of STEM content and teaching practices, diversifies assessment of student learning, and ensures that English Language Learners are successful in STEM.  The intended outcome is that HSP schools will be models of excellence for STEM teaching and learning, and that participating teachers will become leaders and mentors for others at their schools and in the Department of Education.