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Full-Text Articles in Education
Can We Science The Poop, Too?, Nat Banting
Can We Science The Poop, Too?, Nat Banting
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
This article describes how an innocuous question from a primary schooler taught me to pay attention to the dynamic meaning making activities of children—particularly, those of my young daughter. Through this lens, I examine how the verb-based world of children might compel us to think differently about the largely nominalized project of schooling and, more specifically, about the craft of teaching mathematics.
The Math Games Seminar: A Mathematical Learning Community, Anthony Delegge, Ellen Ziliak
The Math Games Seminar: A Mathematical Learning Community, Anthony Delegge, Ellen Ziliak
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Learning communities can be an effective means of engaging university students across disciplines. Games have always been a source of both enjoyment and interesting mathematics. Based on our own interest in games, and the deep, strategic discussions we found ourselves having with students when we played games with them, we decided to design a learning community around the mathematics of games. We hoped in particular that such a community could be a great pathway to introducing mathematical thinking to students not majoring in mathematics, and that they would gain a greater appreciation for our field. In this paper, we describe …
“You Will Remain Unwavering In Your Determination To Succeed No Matter How Long It Takes”: A Mathematico-Emotional Analysis Of A Guide To Higher Learning, Kathleen M. Clark, Oksana M. Rubis
“You Will Remain Unwavering In Your Determination To Succeed No Matter How Long It Takes”: A Mathematico-Emotional Analysis Of A Guide To Higher Learning, Kathleen M. Clark, Oksana M. Rubis
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
In this article we present an analysis of the multi-fold artist’s book, A Guide to Higher Learning (Chen, 2009). In our analysis, we propose different perspectives from which to view the mathematical and philosophical aspects found within the book. We explore aspects of “higher learning” by analyzing the complex mathematical equations and textual elements that readers meet in the book. Chen challenges the reader with: “This is a test. You will not be given any assistance or instructions on how to proceed. You will not be told when to begin or when to stop” (Chen, 2009). Thus, in our exploration …
How I First Heard About Calculus, Bradley J. Lucier
How I First Heard About Calculus, Bradley J. Lucier
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
An attempt to motivate a class of engineering students leads to insights both personal and pedagogical.
Using Mathematical Equations To Communicate And Think About Karma, Kien H. Lim, Christopher Yakes
Using Mathematical Equations To Communicate And Think About Karma, Kien H. Lim, Christopher Yakes
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Two equations are presented in this article to communicate a particular understanding of karma. The first equation relates future experiences to past and present actions. Although the equation uses variables and mathematical symbols such as the integral sign and summation symbol, it reads more like a literal translation of an English sentence. Based on the key idea in the first equation, a second equation is then created to highlight the viability of using math to communicate concepts that are not readily quantifiable. Analyzing such equations can stimulate thinking, enhance understanding of spiritual concepts, raise issues, and uncover tensions between our …
A Holistic Mathematics Curriculum Revision: An Adelphi University Case Study, Salvatore J. Petrilli
A Holistic Mathematics Curriculum Revision: An Adelphi University Case Study, Salvatore J. Petrilli
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Join me as I take you on a journey with the faculty of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Adelphi University during our two-year re-envisioning and implementation of our mathematics curriculum. From the beginning this involved a data-driven initiative that naturally led to the revisions. Here I describe in detail the process that our department followed. In closing I end with some recommendations for interesting research directions in the field of mathematics education.
Peer Motivation: Getting Through Math Together, Jessica Mean, Wes Maciejewski
Peer Motivation: Getting Through Math Together, Jessica Mean, Wes Maciejewski
Journal of Humanistic Mathematics
Students have a complex relationship with mathematics. Some love it, but more often than not, the feelings are less favorable. These feelings can lead to decreased motivation which makes it difficult for students to engage with the subject as the semester progresses. Instructors also have difficulty addressing this waning motivation. In this paper, we claim peers are better able to connect with the students and this can be leveraged to better motivate students. We present an approach to having peers motivate their students. These peer interactions integrated with a mandatory mathematics course might improve students’ motivation.