ICTCM

Pedagogy and Research/Assessment SESSIONS

How Mathematics Transforms the World
Gary Rockswold, Minnesota State University, Mankato
A Wall Street Journal article recently ranked mathematicians as having the best occupation. But is this only the beginning of a new role and even greater power that mathematics will assume in the future? This multimedia presentations explains how mathematics has transformed our world in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

The Keystone Approach: Integration of Methodology and Technology
M. Vali Siadat, Eugenia Peterson, Cyrill Oseledets and Ming-Jer Wang, Richard J. Daley College
We present the results of a research study investigating the integration of a synergistic teaching approach with modrn computer technology in developmental mathematics classes at the college. Analysis of the data shows that students in experimental classes employing the synergistic approach attained higher performance outcomes compared with students taught under traditional methods. The higher outcomes were not achieved with the attrition of weaker students.

MAA's pathway within the national science digital library
Lang Moore, Duke University
The Mathematical Sciences Digital Library (MathDL) is the Mathematical Association of America’s pathway project within the National Sciences Digital Library (NSDL). We will describe the history and current state of the NSDL and the mathematical news, articles, and educational resources available at MathDL.

Increase Success and Retention In Your Class With Group Theory
Susan Beane, University of Houston - Downtown
The coordinating of different points of view by cooperative learning groups leads to the construction of higher-level mathematical knowledge. Several concepts will be discussed, that can be applied to any class, using group theory to help students construct a better, thorough understanding of mathematical relationships. Students report that they found great value in the experience and felt that these ;earning groups had given them more confidence, encouragement, understanding, and hope.

Exploratory Online Assessments of Collegiate Developmental Mathematics and Secondary Level Algebra Comprehension: A Pilot Initiative
Salvatrice F. Keating, Marsha Davis and Kim Ward, Eastern Connecticut State University
"A strong grounding in high school mathematics through Algebra II or higher correlates powerfully with access to college [and] graduation from college". Maple T.A.'s item-by-item analysis (2005-2008) of assessment results corroborates that poor algebraic skills exist across all levels, major and non-major, among Eastern's students. A natural extension of these assessments is mathematics assessment at the secondary school level. Our proposed initiative models three existing partnerships: (1) Joining Mathematics Education (JEM) and secondary schools in the European Consortium, (2) Texas A&M University and Texas secondary schools, and (3) the Bridges Program at Eastern Connecticut State University.

before this course, i was not comfortable using different types of technology
Michael Hardy, Saint Xavier University
This session will explore the impact of the pedagogy employed in the X-Tech Project on preservice secondary mathematics teachers' knowledge of methods and resources for teaching mathematics via technology.

Trends in Technology Usage in K-12 and the Impact on University Mathematics Courses
Kathleen Smith, University of Illinois
Do you know which technology tools your students have mastered? Do you take full advantage of their knowledge of these technologies? Do you know how your students do their mathematics? If the answers to any of these questions is no, then you might just learn something during this session.

Online assessment with Maple T. A.: Sharing an experience in Algebra
Ana Guadalupe Del Castillo, Universidad de Sonora
The aim of this paper is to share some results related to the design and implementation of on-line assignments with Maple T.A., in the courses of Algebra for engineering students of the University of Sonora.

Migrating a Mathematics Placement Exam into an Online Assessment Tool
Dwight Horan, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Mathematics Placement Exams are usually given in the Fall. With online resources available, MPEs can be migrated into an assessment tool for entering students to exploit over the summer to

What Clicks in the Classroom: The Power of "clickers"
Xiao-Li Meng, Harvard University
Competing for students’ attention in the classroom is a challenge, as is engaging them in active thought during lectures, and getting them to come to class when lectures are videotaped. Our experiences teaching “Real-Life Statistics: Your Chance for Happiness (or misery)” demonstrate that clickers make each of these challenges conquerable.

The Art and Science of Designing Higher Level Clicker Questions
Kathryn Ernie and Erick Hofacker, University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Personal response systems (PRS) may be used to facilitate classroom discussion around questions that focus students attention on concepts, analysis, and applications. We will present methods for constructing multiple-choice clicker items to foster such discussion and higher level thinking.

Quantifying Students Learning using ClassAct
Arun Verma, Hampton University
Results from ClassAct used in two mathematics courses to quantify students learning will be presented. The software uses Blooms Taxanomy to assign numerical values for various levels of learning. Based on these numerical values profile of assessment of learning outcome is generated to help instructors to revisit various concepts.