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 Mathematics Instruction Colloquium
Objective
The UA Mathematics Instruction Colloquium is a forum for presentations and discussions of topics related to the teaching of mathematics at all levels, from elementary/secondary to the UA's entry-level sequence and beyond. The colloquium is an open forum; the public is invited to attend. Participants and attendees have included faculty and students from the UA's mathematics, applied mathematics, and mathematics education programs, as well as teachers and administrators from the Tucson Unified School District.
In the 2008-2009 academic year, the colloquium is being organized by Ji Li and Nathan Carlson.
Location and Time
The colloquium is typically held on Tuesdays from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. in Mathematics 501. Exceptions will be noted below.
Click here to see the upcoming talk. You may click the title of any talk below to view its full abstract.
Schedule of Colloquia - Fall 2008
- Tuesday, August 26, 2008
- Organizational Meeting: All are invited
- Tuesday, September 2, 2008
- (no schedule)
- Tuesday, September 9, 2008 --- Gould Simpson 849
- Dr. Carol Robinson, Assistant Director (Teaching and Learning) Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University, United Kingdom
Mathmatics Teaching in UK Universities
In recent years concerns have been expressed about the level of student engagement in the learning of mathematics at university. Widening participation and the increasing numbers of students attending universities have meant that there is a wide variation in the level of prior knowledge of students. Many students find they have compulsory mathematics modules to study as part of their undergraduate course and do not appreciate the importance of mathematics for their course. Often they are taught in large classes and poor attendance at lectures and tutorials is not uncommon. Universities are finding that they are having to look at ways of addressing the issues of how to motivate and assist such students in their learning of mathematics.
This presentation first describes the situation of mathematics teaching in UK universities, with particular reference to the teaching of mathematics to non-specialist mathematicians, such as engineering students and economics and business students.
It then describes the support network which has been put in place to assist students with mathematics. In over 60% of UK universities, this takes the form of a Mathematics Learning Support Centre. Loughborough and Coventry Universities were recently awarded Centre for Excellence status in Mathematics Support. This presentation will describe some of the support they offer.
Finally the presentation will describe ways of motivating the students in their study of mathematics. These include the use of new technologies in teaching and the use of discipline-specific problems. A number of new technologies, including Electronic Voting Systems and Tablet PCs are being used and the experience and findings of staff and students involved will be reported.
The presentation concludes with a summary of the current situation of teaching mathematics in UK universities.
- Tuesday, September 16, 2008
- Dr. Nathan Carlson, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
The Tucson Teachers' Circle at One Year
A teachers' circle is a program that provides middle or high school teachers with an opportunity to engage in mathematics as an intellectual endeavor, where discussion of teaching techniques plays a prominent role. It also provides a support network for the participants. In the summer of 2007 a group from the UA math department, including Ginny Bohme, David Savitt, and myself, attended a workshop on starting a teachers' circle. The Tucson Teachers' Circle was founded soon after, with focus on discovery, exploration, and hands-on activities. After one year, we have nurtured a vibrant circle that has been well-received by the teachers. I will talk about the various activities we have done, as well as some of the problems we've had the teachers' explore.
- Tuesday, September 23, 2008 --- Mathematics East 141
- Robert Schmidt, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
Utilizing the SMART Board for Mathematics Education
Mike Schmidt, one of the ATI School Specialists (on a one-year leave from University High School), will give an introduction to the use of the SMART board and share ideas on the specific uses of the board in colligate and secondary math classrooms.
SMART Technology's interactive whiteboards can be a valuable tool for any mathematics educator. Proper utilization of this technology can save the instructor valuable class time and provide new avenues for displaying complex ideas. This discussion will include both a basic overview of the SMART Board's capabilities and specific utilizations of the SMART Board for the math classroom.
- Tuesday, September 30, 2008 --- Gould Simpson 849
- Dr. Linda Simonsen, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
Distance Learning: Budget Panacea or Authentic Learning?
Distance learning is often seen as a solution path for many problems facing academia. In light of current budget issues, we are all being challenged to develop creative solutions to increase our efficiency as faculty members while upholding academic quality. But, creative distance learning solutions will fail if they are not carefully connected to need, audience and mode of delivery. These creative decisions require a deeper understanding of effective distance learning. I will discuss in detail how effective distance learning requires establishing a clearly defined need, reflecting on how you reach this audience now, and then developing a well-organized mode of delivery that fits the need and the audience.
- Tuesday, October 7, 2008
- Bruce MacMillan, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
Modeling Projectile Motion
The flight of a projectile can be modeled very nicely by using parametric equations and a graphing calculator. After briefly discussing the mathematics involved to model the flight of a projectile, we will collect some real world data, do the mathematics to predict the
flight of a "ball in motion", and use a "projectile launcher", to confirm that the mathematics works! This is a "hands on" workshop!
- Tuesday, October 14, 2008 --- Gould Simpson 849
- Dr. William McCallum, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
- Tuesday, October 21, 2008
- Kimberly Gray, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
- Tuesday, October 28, 2008
- Dr. Walter Piegorsch, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
- Tuesday, November 4, 2008
- Dr. Caroline Wright, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
- Tuesday, November 18, 2008
- Crystal Bartels, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
- Tuesday, November 25, 2008
- Dr. William Y Velez (WYZ), Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
- Tuesday, December 2, 2008
- Tuesday, December 9, 2008
- Dr. Stephen Gagola, Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona
Affiliations
Last updated: September 11, 2008
comments or suggestions to: Ji Li
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