Education Commons^™

Parts Of The Whole: Observing The State Of The System, Dorothy Wallace

Numeracy

This column draws on the approach of statistician J. Edwards Deming to analyze sources and consequences of variation in an education system. Educational systems are not immune from the effects of poor statistical control, which makes it difficult for teachers to teach effectively and for managers such as principals to improve on school performance. It is also argued that the need for statistical control in these areas is in tension, if not outright conflict, with our goals for educating students.

Two Popular Books For Quantitative Literacy: What The Numbers Say, And The Numbers Game, Robert G. Root

Numeracy

Niederman, Derrick, and Boyum, David. What the Numbers Say: A Field Guide to Mastering Our Numerical World. (New York: Broadway Books/Random House, 2003). 288 pp. Hardcover, ISBN 978-0-7679-0998-3. Paperback, 978-0-7679-0999-0. Available as an eBook.

Blastland, Michael, and Dilnot, Andrew. The Numbers Game: The Commonsense Guide to Understanding Numbers in the News, in Politics and in Life. (New York: Gotham Books/Penguin, 2009). 192 pp. Hardcover, ISBN 978-1-5924-0423-0. Paperback, ISBN 978-1-5924-0485-8. Available as an eBook.

Popular books on quantitative literacy need to be easy to read, reasonably comprehensive in scope, and include examples that are thought-provoking and memorable. In contrast …

Numeracy: Open-Access Publishing To Reduce The Cost Of Scholarly Journals, Todd A. Chavez

Numeracy

Each fiscal year, as academic librarians throughout the United States prepare materials budgets, a national “groan” ensues. Regardless of their format (i.e. print or digital), serial subscription costs are escalating, in the process impacting the role of the library in advancing scholarly communication . This paper examines some of the economic issues concerning open-access (OA) journal publishing. The importance of quantitative literacy is suggested for librarians and academics seeking a better understanding of alternatives to traditional journal subscription models and to anyone considering ventures into OA publishing. Quantitative literacy is essential for managing alternatives to the rising cost of scholarly …

College Algebra In Context: A Project Incorporating Social Issues, Michael T. Catalano

Numeracy

This paper discusses the development of an innovative college algebra text designed for use in a data-driven, activity-oriented college algebra course, incorporating realistic problem situations emphasizing social and economic issues, including hunger and poverty, energy, and the environment. The course incorporates quantitative literacy themes, is informed by existing college algebra texts within the college algebra reform movement, and implements a collaborative pedagogical approach intended to provide future K-12 teachers an alternative model for the teaching of mathematics. The paper contains a short history of the project development phase, supported by an NSF grant (DUE #0442979), as well as the perceived …

An Activity Promoting The Practice Of Quantitative Literacy For Pre– And In–Service Teachers Of Mathematics And Science, Timothy L. Sorey, Teri Willard, Duane Sholz

Numeracy

The purpose of this article is to describe a hands-on, laboratory activity that provided pre-service teachers in mathematics and science methods courses, and also some in-service mathematics teachers, with the opportunity to exercise quantitative literacy (QL) skills. The focus of the activity is electrical resistance, more particularly the resistance (in ohms) that is painted on small resistors by the use of color-coded bands, one of which is a band for % error. The activity consists of four parts. In the first, student teams familiarize themselves with the code, measure the ohmage of resistors for which the codes are visible, and …

Are Statistics Labs Worth The Effort?--Comparison Of Introductory Statistics Courses Using Different Teaching Methods, Jose H. Guardiola, Nadina Duran-Hutchings, Hassan Elsalloukh

Numeracy

This paper compares the academic performance of students in three similar elementary statistics courses taught by the same instructor, but with the lab component differing among the three. One course is traditionally taught without a lab component; the second with a lab component using scenarios and an extensive use of technology, but without explicit coordination between lab and lecture; and the third using a lab component with an extensive use of technology that carefully coordinates the lab with the lecture. Extensive use of technology means, in this context, using Minitab software in the lab section, doing homework and quizzes using …

Envisioning A Quantitative Studies Center: A Liberal Arts Perspective, Gizem Karaali, Philip I. Choi, Sara Owsley Sood, Eric B. Grosfils

Numeracy

Several academic institutions are searching for ways to help students develop their quantitative reasoning abilities and become more adept at higher-level tasks that involve quantitative skills. In this note we study the particular way Pomona College has framed this issue within its own context and what it plans to do about it. To this end we describe our efforts as members of a campus-wide committee that was assigned the duty of investigating the feasibility of founding a quantitative studies center on our campus. These efforts involved analysis of data collected through a faculty questionnaire, discipline-specific input obtained from each departmental …

A Rubric For Assessing Quantitative Reasoning In Written Arguments, Nathan D. Grawe, Neil S. Lutsky, Christopher J. Tassava

Numeracy

This paper introduces a rubric for assessing QR in student papers and analyzes the inter-rater reliability of the instrument based on a reading session involving 11 participants. Despite the disciplinary diversity of the group (which included a faculty member from the arts and literature, two staff members, and representatives from five natural and social science departments), the rubric produced reliable measures of QR use and proficiency in a sample of student papers. Readers agreed on the relevance and extent of QR in 75.0 and 81.9 percent of cases respectively (corresponding to Cohen’s κ= 0.611 and 0.693). A four-category measure of …

Confessions Of A Weak Tie, Joel Best

Numeracy

No abstract provided.

Five Thousand Downloads, H L Vacher

Numeracy

No abstract provided.

Science For The English Language Learner: Strategies To Enhance Comprehension, Allen Rauch, Vicky Giouroukakis Ph.D.

Faculty Works: EDU (1995-2023)

According to the New York State Science Learning Standards, all students, including ELLs, need to “understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories...” (NYS Learning Standards for Math, Science, Technology, 1996, p.1). [They] are expected to acquire skills such as discussing, analyzing, reading, and writing in ways similar to those of a practicing scientist” (Medina-Jerez, Clark, Medina, & Ramirez-Marin, 2007, Science for ELL, para. 2). Most students in science, however, have difficulty comprehending science content (Schoenbach et. al., 1999) and are challenged by the specialized terminology in science. Furthermore, students believe that science is a body of knowledge rather than …

Detection Of Psilocybin Mushroom Analogs In Chocolate: Incorporating Current Events Into The Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory, Brandon Huskins, Christopher Dockery

Faculty and Research Publications

In this experiment, tryptamine is used as a psilocin analog and is dispersed onto a Fisher brand cellulose laboratory sponge to simulate dehydrated mushrooms. The resulting “mushroom” material is ground, molded into chocolate, and presented to student groups for real-world and applied analyses. Students isolate the tryptamine from the chocolate using their knowledge of drug chemistry, solubility, pH, extractions, etc. Qualitative analysis is conducted by comparison to standards (Thin Layer Chromatography or Gas Chromatography) and quantitative analysis is conducted by Gas Chromatography using the method of internal standards.

Developing Evaluation Instrument For Mathematics Educational Software, Wahyu Setyaningrum

PYTHAGORAS : Jurnal Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika

The rapid increase and availability of mathematics software, either for classroom or individual learning activities, presents a challenge for teachers. It has been argued that many products are limited in quality. Some of the more commonly used software products have been criticized for poor content, activities which fail to address some learning issues, poor graphics presentation, inadequate documentation, and other technical problems. The challenge for schools is to ensure that the educational software used in classrooms is appropriate and effective in supporting intended outcomes and goals. This paper aimed to develop instrument for evaluating mathematics educational software in order to …

The Power Of Games To Learn Mathematics: An Overview, Ariyadi Wijaya

PYTHAGORAS : Jurnal Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika

The central principle of Realistic Mathematics Education is that the learning of mathematics needs to be laid on meaningful situation; either meaningful problems or activities. Many researches found that activities of game playing are meaningful to students and can be effective tools for enhancing learning and understanding of complex subject matter. Consequently, this article focuses on the benefit of games to support the learning of mathematics and the role of teacher in conducting game-based learning.

Keywords : Realistic Mathematics Education, game-based learning, the role of teacher

Tingkat-Tingkat Berpikir Mahasiswa Dalam Menerjemahkan Pernyataan Matematis Berkuantor Universal Dari Bentuk Kalimat Biasa Menjadi Bentuk Kalimat Formal, M Andy Rudito, Susento Susento

PYTHAGORAS : Jurnal Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menghasilkan suatu deskripsi tingkat-tingkat berpikir mahasiswa dalam menterjemahkan pernyataan matematis berkuantor universal dari bentuk kalimat biasa menjadi bentuk kalimat formal. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian kualitatif diskriptif. Subjek penelitian ini adalah semua mahasiswa Program Studi Pendidikan Matematika FKIP semester I Universitas Sanata Dharma Yogyakarta angkatan tahun 2006, yang berjumlah 46 orang. Data bersifat kualitatif, yaitu berupa jawaban oleh mahasiswa terhadap soal yang diberikan. Data dianalisis secara kualitatif dengan langkah-langkah: reduksi data, kategorisasi data, dan sintesisasi. Hasil penelitian mengindikasikan adanya 7 tingkat berpikir mahasiswa sebagai berikut: Tingkat-0: Tidak ada gagasan dalam menerjemahkan; Tingkat-1: Kalimat formal tidak menyatakan …

Analisis Butir Soal Dengan Teori Tes Klasik (Classical Test Theory) Dan Teori Respons Butir (Item Response Theory) (Studi Kasus: Soal Ujian Olimpiade Sains Provinsi Bidang Informatika 2009), Ida Mariati

PYTHAGORAS : Jurnal Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika

No abstract provided.

Keefektifan Model Pembelajaran Kontekstual Dengan Pendekatan Open Ended Dalam Aspek Penalaran Dan Pemecahan Masalah Pada Materi Segitiga Di Kelas Vii, Joko Sulianto

PYTHAGORAS : Jurnal Matematika dan Pendidikan Matematika

Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen untuk menganalisis keefektifan pembelajaran kontekstual dengan pendekatan open ended dalam aspek penalaran dan pemecahan masalah pada materi segitiga di kelas VII. Permasalahan yang dikaji: 1) Apakah siswa yang mendapatkan pembelajaran kontekstual dengan pendekatan open ended dapat mencapai ketuntasan belajar?, 2) Apakah kemampuan memecahkan masalah siswa yang mendapatkan pembelajaran kontekstual dengan pendekatan open ended lebih baik dari pada siswa dengan pembelajaran metode ekspositori?, 3) Apakah penalaran siswa dapat mencapai kriteria sedang setelah mendapatkan pembelajaran kontekstual dengan pendekatan open ended? Populasi penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas VII SMP Kesatrian 2 Semarang. Sampel penelitian ini adalah siswa …

Indirect Gravimetric Determination Of Waters Of Hydration, Marina C. Koether

Faculty and Research Publications

An alternate gravimetric experiment is described that can be employed in the general chemistry or the quantitative analysis laboratory course. The procedure takes less time than conventional methods and introduces students to waters of hydration and indirect determinations.

Deliberation Versus Dispute: The Impact Of Argumentative Discourse Goals On Learning And Reasoning In The Science Classroom, Mark Felton, Merce Garcia-Mila, Sandra Gilabert

Faculty Publications

Researchers in science education have converged on the view that argumentation can be an effective intervention for promoting knowledge construction in science classrooms.However, the impact of such interventions may be mediated by individuals’ task goals while arguing. In argumentative discourse, one can distinguish two overlapping but distinct kinds of activity: dispute and deliberation. In dispute the goal is to defend a conclusion by undermining alternatives, whereas in deliberation the goal is to arrive at a conclusion by contrasting alternatives. In this study, we examine the impact of these discourse goals on both content learning and argument quality in science.

Students In Rural Schools Have Limited Access To Advanced Mathematics Courses, Suzanne E. Graham

The Carsey School of Public Policy at the Scholars' Repository

This Carsey brief reveals that students in rural areas and small towns have less access to higher-level mathematics courses than students in urban settings, which results in serious educational consequences, including lower scores on assessment tests and fewer qualified students entering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) job pipelines.

Math In The Middle Report To Nebraska December 2009

Math in the Middle Program Materials

Table of Contents:

An overview of Math in the Middle

Gordon-Rushville reaps benefits of Math in the Middle

Nebraska Math & Science Summer Institutes: Courses enhance teaching abilities

Math in the Middle graduates excel as teacher leaders

Math in the Middle graduate achievements: Exemplary leaders in math education

Dan Schaben, former NATM president, reflects on Math in the Middle

Math Teachers’ Circle: The drive to learn continues

Action Research Papers

Math Expository Papers

Doctoral Students and Math in the Middle

Selected Publications

Contributors: Jim Lewis, Ruth Heaton, Michelle Homp, Wendy Smith, Shannon Parry and Lindsay Augustyn

Design/Layout: Lindsay Augustyn

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Fall 2009, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Each student in his or her senior year chooses, plans, designs, and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. The senior design project encourages the student to use everything learned in the engineering program to create a practical, real-world solution to an engineering challenge.

A highlight of the year-long senior design project is the senior design competition. This competition, which usually takes place the week before finals each semester, helps focus the senior students on increasing the quality and potential for commercial application for their design projects.

Judges from local industry evaluate the projects on innovation, commercial …

Teaching Science In Light Of World View: The Effect Of Contextualized Instruction On The Scientific Compatibility Of Religious College Students' World Views, Paula Rae Gossard

Dissertations

Authors of recent science reform documents promote the goal of scientific literacy for all Americans (American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1989, 1993). Some students, however, feel apprehensive about learning science due to perceptions that science is antagonistic to their world views (Alters, 2005; Esbenshade, 1993). This study investigated the effect of an introductory science course taught in the context of a Christian, theistic world view on the scientific compatibility of religious college students' world views. For the purposes of this study, students' understanding of the nature of science, affective attitudes toward science, and beliefs regarding creation were used …

The Effect Of The Alabama Mathematics, Science, And Technology Initiative (Amsti) On Middle School Students' Scores In Mathematics And Science, Toni Boyd Ramey

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the application of the Alabama Mathematics, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) program in middle schools reduced the gaps found between students' CRT scores; specifically, did the gaps found in the CRT scores within the respective subgroups race, gender, SES, and special/regular education narrow? The subject areas considered by this study were mathematics and science. Student-level data were collected and examined for longitudinal changes over a three year period in which the AMSTI program was implemented at two participating public middle schools. The dependent variables used were mathematics and science CRT scores …

Seeing The Future: Biology Research Allows Undergraduates New Insight Into Their Own Futures, Merideth Krevosky, Jeffery Bowen

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Dna, Red Tide And The Sea: A New Exhibit At Mystic Aquarium & Ife, Margaret (Peg) A. Van_Patten

Wrack Lines

DNA, Red Tide and the Sea is a new exhibit at Mystic Aquarium & IFE. It was developed by UConn Marine Sciences Professor Senjie Lin, and Mystic Aquarium. Children can extract DNA from fruit and learn about genetic codes and red tides in the ocean.

Nebraskamath December 2009 Newsletter

NebraskaMATH Materials

NebraskaMATH December 2009 Newsletter

Table of Contents:

Nebraska Summit on Mathematics Education speakers inspire audience

Counting Girls In - Gender Issues In Science And Mathematics: An Examination Of The Research Concerning Innate And Socio-Cultural Gender Differences In The Fields Of Science And Mathematics In An Effort To Promote More Female Participation, Valerie R. Mackin

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

In today's world, there is an increasing demand for people in the technological fields. Fewer females than males pursue careers in physical sciences, engineering, and computer science in the United States presenting a loss of needed mathematicians and scientists. Gender differences related to mathematics and science is a complex arena of study, involving both innate biological differences combined with socially constructed ideas about gender in society. Through an in-depth investigation from educational, cognitive, and social psychology perspectives one will be able to determine how innate and socio-cultural factors contribute to the shortage of needed mathematicians and scientists in the United …

Exploring Some Inattended Affective Factors In Performing Nonroutine Mathematical Tasks, John Douglas Butler

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Describes students' attempts to solve nonroutine math problems and explores possible correlates of their performance, focusing on inattended (i.e., intentionally avoided) dimensions underrepresented in the literature, including attitudes, interests, values, aesthetics, metacognition, and representation. Analyzes objective and subjective data gathered from a sample of 9th-grade students at a high school in Rhode Island. Finds strong evidence of students' math-aesthetics in problem solving.

Automation In Cs1 With The Factoring Problem Generator, Joshua B. Parker

Master's Theses

As the field of computer science continues to grow, the number of students enrolled in related programs will grow as well. Though one-on-one tutoring is one of the more effective means of teaching, computer science instructors will have less and less time to devote to individual students. To address this growing concern, many tools that automate parts of an instructor’s job have been proposed. These tools can assist instructors in presenting concepts and grading student work, and they can help students learn to program more effectively. A growing group of intelligent tutoring systems attempts to tie all of this functionality …