Education Commons^™

Developing Creative Problem Solvers, Eric L. Mann

Faculty Presentations

Mathematics embraces creativity and beauty, attributes that are often hidden when algorithms and computational speed are favored. We’ll explore mathematical creativity and its implications for the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Changing The Culture: Developing Creative Problem Solvers, Eric L. Mann

Faculty Presentations

Mathematics embraces creativity and beauty yet often our children are immersed in classroom activities where these attributes are hidden by an overemphasis on algorithms, computational speed and known answers that can be found in the back of the book or with a quick Google search. This learning environment creates a false perception of what it means to be “good at math.” From the research we know than many of our elementary school teachers have negative attitudes towards mathematics; an attitude students pick up and adopt which may foster the development of the reluctant, impatient problem solvers we find in our …

The Value Of Problem Posing In Developing Creatively Gifted Mathematicians, Eric L. Mann

Faculty Presentations

The task of problem posing is often overlooked as a means to develop creatively gifted mathematicians. Silver (1997) suggested that problem posing was an instructional tactic used worldwide to develop creativity in mathematicians. More specifically, Silver advocated that deliberate instructional tactics had to be employed to precipitate creative solutions. Problem posing is often correlated with the aesthetic nature of mathematics.

In this cutting-edge session, participants’ objective is to learn about the value of problem posing through a brief presentation and have an opportunity to generate their own mathematical problem solving tasks given a mathematical concept. The intent is to encourage …

Improving Learning Through Information Technology, Barry Bandstra

Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

Six Easy Things Profs Can Do To Help Students Learn, David James

Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

How To Increase Global Learning In Your Classroom, Ernest D. Cole

Faculty Presentations

No abstract provided.

Hope Comes To Watts: An Educational May Term Experience In Los Angeles, Nancy L. Cook, Madeline Kukla, John Yelding

Faculty Presentations

The "Hope Comes to Watts" program is designed to provide a 3-week May Term experience in Los Angeles, California. Students study the cultural, historical and geographical setting as well as complete pertinent readings to prepare for full-day placements in the Watts Learning Center, a public, charter school setting with elementary and middle school campuses. The Hope College students are paired one-on-one with classroom teachers and/or administrators and are fully immersed the day-to-day life of the school. They also participate in a variety of cultural and service opportunities during this experience.

Center For Stem Inquiry: Stem Scholars Program, Carrie Dummer, Vicki-Lynn Holmes, Susan Ipri Brown, Catherine Mader

Faculty Presentations

This project engages science or math education majors in education research projects via coursework and intensive field placements. A May term STEM methods course includes pedagogical and curriculum instruction. The Hope STEM scholars then implement inquiry-based, action research as co-leaders of two STEM Academies - summer inquiry experiences for high school students.

A Longitudinal Study Investigating The Effects Of The Pbl Approach In Secondary Mathematics Education, Yooyeun Hwang

Faculty Presentations

This longitudinal study investigated the effect of Project Based Learning (PBL) on secondary-mathematics students in order to determine both academic-skill development and motivational factors associated with learning. Results showed that secondary students not only benefited from PBL in learning mathematics content, but exhibited improved self-efficacy and self-regulation in learning mathematics.