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Full-Text Articles in Higher Education

An Examination Of Factors That Support Sustainable Cultural And Curricular Change In Stem Teaching And Learning, Erica Slate Young, Peaches Hash, Sarah Schott, Jack Bookman Jan 2022

An Examination Of Factors That Support Sustainable Cultural And Curricular Change In Stem Teaching And Learning, Erica Slate Young, Peaches Hash, Sarah Schott, Jack Bookman

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Using a mixed-methods design, this body of work from the SUMMIT-P consortium explores possible effective conditions for the sustainable reform of STEM teaching and learning at the collegiate level. A model of catalysts for successful and sustainable change is proposed, based on five years of data collection and observations. These catalysts include institutional support, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of faculty involved, measures of student success, institution size, prior faculty experience, faculty buy-in, and institutional culture. The discussion ends with a delve into the potential broader impacts of this work. For example, this model may help institutions better understand how to …


Improving College Students’ Views And Beliefs Relative To Mathematics: A Systematic Literature Review Followed By A Multiple Case Mixed Methods Exploration Of The Experiences That Underpin Community College Students’ Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, And Values In Mathematics, Marquita H. Sea Jan 2022

Improving College Students’ Views And Beliefs Relative To Mathematics: A Systematic Literature Review Followed By A Multiple Case Mixed Methods Exploration Of The Experiences That Underpin Community College Students’ Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, And Values In Mathematics, Marquita H. Sea

Theses and Dissertations

Mathematics is particularly important due to its relevance in our daily lives. It is a general requirement throughout schooling. Unfortunately, many students openly declare negative views/beliefs regarding math in their personal and academic lives. These in turn, negatively influence students’ achievement related behaviors and outcomes. First, a systematic literature review was conducted to determine what types of studies/initiatives have aimed to enhance students’ views/beliefs relative to mathematics, including domain general and specific perceptions of math as well as their judgements of who is successful in mathematics and if they themselves can be successful. Specifically, the review centered on the components …


The Need For Interdisciplinary Collaborations, Susan Ganter, Bill Haver Aug 2020

The Need For Interdisciplinary Collaborations, Susan Ganter, Bill Haver

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The challenge faced by developers of collegiate mathematics curricula is to determine—and then provide—the mathematical experiences that are true to the spirit of mathematics yet also relevant to students’ futures in other fields. The Curriculum Foundations Project (CF) of MAA/CRAFTY was designed to gather input from partner disciplines through a series of 22 two- to three-day workshops. Each workshop resulted in a report directed to the mathematics community, summarizing the workshop’s recommendations and conclusions. One message from the partner disciplines appeared again and again: introductory collegiate mathematics courses should focus on giving students an understanding of fundamental mathematical topics while …


Using Site Visits To Strengthen Collaboration, Victor Piercey, Rebecca Segal, Afroditi Filippas, Tao Chen, Soloman Kone, Rosalyn Hargraves, Jack Bookman, John Hearn, Debbie Pike, Kathy Williams Phd Jan 2020

Using Site Visits To Strengthen Collaboration, Victor Piercey, Rebecca Segal, Afroditi Filippas, Tao Chen, Soloman Kone, Rosalyn Hargraves, Jack Bookman, John Hearn, Debbie Pike, Kathy Williams Phd

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The SUMMIT-P project is a multi-institutional endeavor to leverage interdisciplinary collaboration in order to improve the teaching of undergraduate mathematics courses in the first two years of college. One goal of this work is to establish collaborative communities among the institutions involved. As part of the project, institutions visit one another on site visits that are structured according to a common protocol. The site visits have been valuable to the project. Participating institutions report the exchange of actionable ideas and feedback; members of the grant leadership team have used the site visits to direct the overall project, and evaluators have …


Integrative And Contextual Learning In College Algebra -An Interdisciplinary Collaboration With Economics, Choon Shan Lai, Glenn Henshaw, Tao Chen, Soloman Kone Jan 2020

Integrative And Contextual Learning In College Algebra -An Interdisciplinary Collaboration With Economics, Choon Shan Lai, Glenn Henshaw, Tao Chen, Soloman Kone

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Many students consider mathematics too abstract and useless for their academic and career goals. Meanwhile, instructors in quantitative disciplines such as economics find many students mathematically underprepared for their courses. The disconnect between students’ perceptions of the utility of mathematics and their life and career may have contributed to some of the under-performance in learning mathematics. Addressing this problem requires collaboration across disciplines to develop an understanding of each other’s needs, more specifically to develop an integrative platform that allows students to apply mathematical skills in interdisciplinary contexts (Ganter & Barker, 2004). We collaboratively designed and implemented an integrative platform …


Full Issue Jan 2020

Full Issue

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Exploring The Effects Of Different Classroom Environments On The Learning Process. Synthesis Of Thiazole-Linked Porous Organic Polymers For Co2 Separation And Nitro-Aromatics Sensing., Davide D'Urbino Jan 2017

Exploring The Effects Of Different Classroom Environments On The Learning Process. Synthesis Of Thiazole-Linked Porous Organic Polymers For Co2 Separation And Nitro-Aromatics Sensing., Davide D'Urbino

Theses and Dissertations

When attempting to study the learning process of undergraduate chemistry student, the classroom and any interaction that take place within it constitute the social context of interest. By studying how different approaches can foster different classroom environments, it is possible to approach course design from an informed and scientifically sound perspective. Thus, it becomes necessary to identify and quantify the factors that have a positive or negative effect on the classroom environment. Social comparison concerns, comfort levels and self-efficacy have been shown to be social factors that affect each other as well as the learning process and have therefore been …


Scientific Argumentation As A Foundation For The Design Of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction, A. Falk, L. Brodsky Jan 2013

Scientific Argumentation As A Foundation For The Design Of Inquiry-Based Science Instruction, A. Falk, L. Brodsky

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Despite the attention that inquiry has received in science education research and policy, a coherent means for implementing inquiry in the classroom has been missing [1]. In recent research, scientific argumentation has received increasing attention for its role in science and in science education [2]. In this article, we propose that organizing a unit of instruction around building a scientific argument can bring inquiry practices together in the classroom in a coherent way. We outline a framework for argumentation, focusing on arguments that are central to science—arguments for the best explanation. We then use this framework as the basis for …


Grappling With Issues Of Learning Science From Everyday Experiences: An Illustrative Case Study, A.-L. Tan, M. Kim, F. Talaue Jan 2013

Grappling With Issues Of Learning Science From Everyday Experiences: An Illustrative Case Study, A.-L. Tan, M. Kim, F. Talaue

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

There are different perceptions among researchers with regard to the infusion of everyday experience in the teaching of science: 1) it hinders the learning of science concepts; or, 2) it increases the participation and motivation of students in science learning. This article attempts to contemplate those different perspectives of everyday knowledge in science classrooms by using everyday contexts to teach grade 3 science in Singapore. In this study, two groups of grade 3 students were presented with a scenario that required them to apply the concept of properties of materials to design a shoe. Subsequently, the transcripts of classroom discussions …


Understanding Teacher Leadership In Middle School Mathematics: A Collaborative Research Effort, J. E. Pustejovsky, J. P. Spillane, R. M. Heaton, W. J. Lewis Jan 2009

Understanding Teacher Leadership In Middle School Mathematics: A Collaborative Research Effort, J. E. Pustejovsky, J. P. Spillane, R. M. Heaton, W. J. Lewis

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

We report findings from a collaborative research effort designed to examine how teachers act as leaders in their schools. We find that teachers educated by the Math in the Middle Institute act as key sources of advice for colleagues within their schools while drawing support from a network consisting of other teachers in the program and university-level advisors. In addition to reporting on our findings, we reflect on our research process, noting some of the practical challenges involved, as well as some of the benefits of collaboration.


Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations Jan 2009

Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Oceanography Professional Development In Virginia Via Collaboration, Field Integration, And Inquiry, K. St. John Jan 2008

Oceanography Professional Development In Virginia Via Collaboration, Field Integration, And Inquiry, K. St. John

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Seventy-nine in-service teachers completed one of six sections of a grant-funded, graduate-level, summer course entitled, Oceanography, that was offered at four different locations in Virginia between 2005 and 2007. The majority of the teachers enrolled with the objective of obtaining their add-on earth science endorsement through the Virginia Earth Science Collaborative (VESC). Oceanography was designed to integrate the following: 1) the ocean science disciplines of geology, chemistry, physics, and biology; 2) inquiry-based learning strategies, quantitative activities, and technology; and, 3) Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) field experience with classroom experiences. These design themes were informed by ocean science content …


What Does It Mean To Be An Elementary School Mathematics Specialist?, D. Gates Jan 2007

What Does It Mean To Be An Elementary School Mathematics Specialist?, D. Gates

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations Jan 2007

Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Financial Support For Mathematics Specialists' Initiatives In Virginia, R. W. Farley, W. E. Haver, L D. Pitt Jan 2005

Financial Support For Mathematics Specialists' Initiatives In Virginia, R. W. Farley, W. E. Haver, L D. Pitt

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Transition To Teaching: An Alternative Certification Program Through Partnership Between A Public School District And A Public University, R. Q. Berry Iii Jan 2004

Transition To Teaching: An Alternative Certification Program Through Partnership Between A Public School District And A Public University, R. Q. Berry Iii

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act has had a significant impact on licenses for teachers working in school programs. The act refers to highly qualified teachers in both Title I and Title ll. This paper defines alternative certification programs. This paper then describes a partnership, funded by the US. Department of Education, between a school district and a university to establish an alternative licensure program to train highly qualified secondary mathematics teachers.The goal of this partnership is to provide an infrastructure that supports the recruitment. preparation, placement, induction, and retention of highly qualified teachers through a new …


The Teacher Shortage: National Trends For Science And Mathematics Teachers, D. R. Sterling Jan 2004

The Teacher Shortage: National Trends For Science And Mathematics Teachers, D. R. Sterling

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The shortage of science and mathematics teachers is a growing problem in the United States. This article looks at what research says about the causes for the growing teacher shortage and its effects on student achievement. As the teacher shortage worsens, teachers without a science or mathematics backgrounds are tasked to teach science and mathematics or underqualified teachers are being hired to fill the shortage. These underqualified teachers are not remaining in the profession, thus not solving the teacher shortage problem and creating an even higher turnover rate for teachers. In addition, experienced teachers are leaving the profession in greater …


Lessons Learned From Efforts At Institutional Change: Case Studies Of Six Ocept Institutions, T. G. Chenoweth, M. K. Kinnick, R. D. Walleri Jan 2003

Lessons Learned From Efforts At Institutional Change: Case Studies Of Six Ocept Institutions, T. G. Chenoweth, M. K. Kinnick, R. D. Walleri

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

As one part of a multifaceted evaluation of the Oregon Collaborative for Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers (OCEPT), a case study approach was used to enable a deeper understanding of how a diverse group of six institutions attempted to achieve OCEPT goals and to learn more about factors that facilitated or hindered their efforts. Multiple sources of data were used, with heavy reliance on a series of on-site interviews. The analytical framework included a "depth" and "pervasiveness" typology of institutional change and a view of change as encompassing "meaning," "organization," and "effects." While goals and accomplishment levels, as well …


Understanding Teacher Reflection As A Significant Tool For Bringing Reform-Based Teaching To College Mathematics, K. Jeon Jan 2003

Understanding Teacher Reflection As A Significant Tool For Bringing Reform-Based Teaching To College Mathematics, K. Jeon

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This paper describes a senior mathematics professor’s effort to change his teaching practice in a mathematical analysis course for secondary pre-service teachers in alignment with the current reform movement. Data include semester-long observations and interviews with the professor and his students. The data were analyzed by the use of reflection as the most significant tool for examining his experience of bringing about change. The reflection was used as a bridge from theory to practice by serving as a significant point for the professor to experience the process of professional development in a real sense. Discussions include the role of teacher …


Enhancing Finite Mathematics With Global Awareness, D. L. Hydorn Jan 2002

Enhancing Finite Mathematics With Global Awareness, D. L. Hydorn

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This paper describes the project of modifying the course, Finite Mathematics, to meet a Global Awareness course requirement. The components of the revised course are described, including topics, in-class activities, and student evaluation methods, along with a summary of the results of a general education assessment of the course.


Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations Jan 2002

Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Concept Building Through Active Learning Experiences With The Calculator Based Laboratory (Cbl), N. Motta Jan 2001

Concept Building Through Active Learning Experiences With The Calculator Based Laboratory (Cbl), N. Motta

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Application Of Biotechnology To Solve Relevant Biological Problems Promotes Understanding Of Underlying Concepts, P. A. Burrowes, G. M. Nazario Jan 2001

Application Of Biotechnology To Solve Relevant Biological Problems Promotes Understanding Of Underlying Concepts, P. A. Burrowes, G. M. Nazario

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Although some efforts have been made to modify the curriculum of the Introductory Biology laboratories from a passive to a more experimental form, the use of modern biotechnology had not been implemented at our institution. The need to understand the applications of modern technology to real-life situations seems imperative at the turn of the century [1,2]. Because several studies have shown that the study of biotechnology by itself does not increase conceptual understanding, the objective of this research was to determine if the use of biotechnology to solve relevant biological problems increased conceptual understanding among our students. We designed two …


Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations Jan 2001

Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


Using Evaluation To Foster Nycetp Goals: Case Studies And Intercampsus Collaboration, C K. Tittle, S. J. Pape, B. Flugman Jan 2000

Using Evaluation To Foster Nycetp Goals: Case Studies And Intercampsus Collaboration, C K. Tittle, S. J. Pape, B. Flugman

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article describes the use of case studies as part of the formative evaluation conducted for the New York Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (NYCETP). While case studies are often conducted for evaluations by outside experts, consultants, or evaluators themselves, we developed a strategy for case studies that used NYCETP faculty to case-study each other. This strategy involved cross-campus collaboration and cross-discipline (Arts & Science and Education) collaboration, and thus actively supported one of the NYCETP goals. The case study strategy also included the development of a faculty (peer) review form for evaluation of documentation of new and revised …


Geometry And Mathematics Through Bridge Building, J. Joyner Jan 2000

Geometry And Mathematics Through Bridge Building, J. Joyner

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


It's Fun, But Is It Science? Goals And Strategies In A Problem-Based Learning Course, M. S. Bruno, C. D. Jarvis Jan 2000

It's Fun, But Is It Science? Goals And Strategies In A Problem-Based Learning Course, M. S. Bruno, C. D. Jarvis

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

All students at Hampshire College must complete a science requirement in which they demonstrate their understanding of how science is done, examine the work of science in larger contexts, and communicate their ideas effectively. Human Biology: Selected Topics in Medicine is one of 18-20 freshman seminars designed to move students toward completing this requirement. Students work in cooperative groups of 4-6 people to solve actual medical cases about which they receive information progressively. Students assign themselves homework tasks to bring information back for group deliberation. The goal is for case teams to work cooperatively to develop a differential diagnosis and …


The Impact Of A National Science Foundation Collaborative For Excellence In Teacher Preparation On An Undergraduate Chemistry Course For Non-Chemistry Science Majors, J. Tyson Jan 2000

The Impact Of A National Science Foundation Collaborative For Excellence In Teacher Preparation On An Undergraduate Chemistry Course For Non-Chemistry Science Majors, J. Tyson

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

In 1999 and 2000 Chemistry 312: Analytical Chemistry for non-chemistry science majors (taken in the junior or senior year), was revised as a result of the instructor’s involvements in the Center for Excellence in Teacher Preparation project and an NSF equipment grant. Changes included the introduction of a K-12 teaching requirement, more emphasis on co-operative learning and on inquiry-based exercises. These latter two pedagogical practices had more impact on the laboratory activities than on the classroom activities. Students in the laboratory were assigned defined roles in the groups and all groups undertook a three-week research project. Students’ responses to the …


Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations Jan 2000

Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.


A Summer Academy Program For Prospective Teachers: Model Teaching Experiences, M. Neathery Jan 1999

A Summer Academy Program For Prospective Teachers: Model Teaching Experiences, M. Neathery

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article describes the project, A Summer Academy Program for Prospective Teachers: Model Teaching Experiences, of the Oklahoma Teacher Education Collaborative (O-TEC), one of the nation’s Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (CETP). To recruit highly qualified teachers in science and mathematics, O-TEC institutions promote a program of summer academies that provide prospective teachers with opportunities to become familiar with effective teaching methods. During the academy, high school juniors and seniors explore inquiry-based teaching strategies, exemplary curricula, science and math content, and state and national standards in math and science education-all under the tutelage of mentor teachers, a Master-Teacher-in- Residence, …