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Saturday, September 18th, 2004
Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg, PA
8:30am - 1:45pm
Breakout Sessions | Agenda | How to Register | Directions
Breakout Sessions
A. Math Class Goes to Hollywood
John Hornsby, University of New Orleans
Come and view scenes from major motion pictures over the years that have included good, bad, and ugly mathematics. Screenwriters have used the Pythagorean Theorem, geometry of the circle, irrationality of pi, computation, logic puzzles, and even solving problems involving rate of work in some very creative, interesting, and sometimes not-so-accurate ways. Suggestions on how these scenes can be used in elementary algebra classes will be provided.
B. Math is Music, Statistics is Literature
Dick De Veaux, Williams College
Statistics is about the world and the wisdom one gains with experience. This is the key to teaching Statistics. We need to emphasize the learning that Statistics gives us about the world. This is best done by outlining the steps in statistical thinking. We call them Think, Show and Tell. We start by thinking about the context and what we want to know. Then we use the methods, which is the Show step. The most important part is the Tell step, communicating to others what we've learned, or what the limits to the data are. We'll outline our strategy for informing and exciting students about Statistics and how we use the steps in an introductory course.
C. Applications, Modeling and Multiple Representations in Mathematics Courses
Gary Rockswold, Minnesota State University, Mankato
This workshop uses class-tested examples to discuss how applications and modeling can increase
both student interest and understanding. Also included is a discussion of multiple representations
(such as the rule of four) and their role in the mathematics classroom. Multiple representations
are helpful when presenting either concepts or applications and are particularly important for
students who are less mathematically mature.
D. The Virtual Math Lab: On-line Courses and Assessment
Darlene Winnington, Delaware Technical College-Stanton
Ruth Collins, Delaware Technical College
Marv Meneeley, Addison-Wesley Technology Specialist
With the increasing demand for on-line courses and assessment, mathematics educators are in need of good tools that will help them develop such resources quickly and easily. This session will review several excellent web-based applications that Addison-Wesley has developed for both instructors and students. Foremost among them is MyMathLab, an on-line teaching and learning tool designed to accompany all major Addison-Wesley mathematics textbooks. Other web based tools to be discussed in this session include MathXL, an on-line tutorial, homework, testing, and assessment program; TestGen, a test-creation program that allows tests to be exported to and delivered on-line; Digital Video Tutors, problem-specific tutorial videos on CD-ROM or DVD; and a free, two-way tutoring service available by toll-free phone, email, and fax.
*Session 1: Virtual Math Lab is for those who have never seen Addison-Wesley technology.
*Session 2: Virtual Math Lab is for beginners to Addison-Wesley technology.
*Session 3: Virtual Math Lab is for experienced users of Addison-Wesley technology.
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