Higher Education Commons^™

Aims & Scope

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

The Effectiveness Of Active And Traditional Teaching Techniques In The Orthopedic Assessment Laboratory, Sara Nottingham

Athletic Training Faculty Articles and Research

Active learning is a teaching methodology with a focus on student-centered learning that engages students in the educational process. This study implemented active learning techniques in an orthopedic assessment laboratory, and the effects of these teaching techniques. Mean scores from written exams, practical exams, and final course evaluations were compared for 79 human physiology students. One- and two-way analyses of variance were used to evaluate the effect of teaching methodology on test scores and evaluation responses. No significant differences were found for course evaluation responses and written and practical exam scores between the two learning groups. This study suggests that …

How Teachers Learn: The Impact Of Content Expectations On Learning Outcomes, J. Reyes

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Journal Of Mathematics And Science: Collaborative Explorations

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

A Web Of Influence: How The Msp Program Has Shaped The Thoughts Of Three Instructors, J. Reyes

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Coaching: One Mathematics Specialist's Story, C. B. Doyle

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

What We Are Learning About The Elementary Mathematics Specialist's Role: Some Reflections About Math Coaching, J. Whitenack, A. Ellington

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Understanding The Transition Between High School And College Mathematics And Science, S. A. Culpepper, C. Basile, C. A. Ferguson, J. A. Lanning, M. A. Perkins

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Mathematics and science education is gaining increasing recognition as key for the well-being of individuals and society. Accordingly, the transition from high school to college is particularly important to ensure that students are prepared for college mathematics and science. The goal of this study was to understand how high school mathematics and science course-taking related to performance in college. Specifically, the study employed a nonparametric regression method to examine the relationship between high school mathematics and science courses, and academic performance in college mathematics and science courses. The results provide some evidence pertaining to the positive benefits from high school …

A Mathematician's Overview Of The Virginia Elementary Mathematics Specialist Program, L. D. Pitt

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article discusses the mathematics component of the Mathematics Specialist master's degree program in the "Virginia Mathematics Specialist Project" (VMSP). It includes my personal views on the significant mathematical knowledge and skills that Mathematics Specialists need, the mathematics that is taught in the Mathematics Specialist courses, and my thoughts on what appear to be the substantial mathematical abilities and aptitudes that are required by successful Mathematics Specialists in their work. The interpretations I present are highly personal and are undoubtedly dependent on my personal history, a short description of which is given (see Appendix A).

Understanding College Students' Disconnections With Mathematics, Karen Jean Edwards

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study explores the disconnections introductory college mathematics students experience with mathematics. The experiences of six former mathematics students from their earliest memories forward to present day were explored. The study employed an interpretive case study and an action research methodology to present a detailed, historical record of the students' interactions and disconnections with learning quantitative material.

Geometry Examples Encountered In Various Everyday Experiences, R. W. Farley

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Reflections On What You Have Learned: A Rapporteur's Report On Virginia's "What We Have Learned Symposium", D. B. Erchick

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

In this Rapporteur's Report on Virginia's "What We Have Learned Symposium" about a statewide Mathematics Specialist program, I discuss emergent topics resulting from presentations and discussion at the Symposium. Topics include defining Mathematics Specialists and coaches, addressing mathematics content in the program, providing ongoing support for Specialists and coaches, and supporting principals. I also provide suggestions, discuss absences in the program, and comment on cautions in revision and needs in dissemination.

Providing Real-World Experiences: The Virginia Tech Externship For Mathematics Specialists, B. Kreye, J. L. M. Wilkins

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

We describe the structure and implementation of the yearlong Externship experience associated with the Mathematics Specialist program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech). We discuss the assignments and experiences included in the Externship, the alignment of those experiences with the job description developed by the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition Task Force, and teacher comments on the effectiveness of their Externship experiences [1].

What Counts In The Preparation Program Of Mathematics Specialists And What Lessons Have We Learned About What Needs To Be Added?, S. S. Overcash

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Contents

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Title Page, Introduction

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Elementary Mathematics Specialists, P. F. Campbell, N. N. Malkus

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Elementary Mathematics Specialists are placed in schools to construct leadership roles and to provide on-site professional development addressing mathematical content and pedagogy in order to enhance instruction and to improve student achievement. A three-year, randomized, control study found that, over time, Specialists had a significant positive impact on student achievement in Grades 3, 4, and 5. This effect on student achievement was not evident at the conclusion of the Specialist's first year of placement. It emerged as knowledgeable Specialists gained experience and as the schools' instructional and administrative staffs learned and worked together. Specialists who were highly engaged with a …

Early Algebra And Mathematics Specialists, M. K. Murray

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This paper discusses early algebra as it relates to the Mathematics Specialist program. Early algebra is described based on research and readings from the body of literature focused on early algebra. Reasons why early algebra should be emphasized in elementary school mathematics are discussed, followed by a description of the role elementary school Mathematics Specialists must play if schools are to begin to focus on early algebraic instruction. Finally, some suggestions are made for ways the Mathematics Specialist program might encourage more explicitly an early algebraic approach to elementary school mathematics.

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 Prior Knowledge In Undergraduate Performance In Chemistry: A Correlation – Prediction Study, Michael K. Seery

Theses

No abstract provided.

Discussing Vocation As A Part Of A Senior Capstone Class, Maria Zack

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

Many of us in Christian higher education are seeking ways to help our students discern their own sense of call. At the 2007 ACMS meeting Greg Crow and I participated in a panel on vocation and published a related paper in the Journal of the ACMS. This current paper discusses what has been learned from incorporating some of our ideas into our department's senior capstone course. This has been very meaningful for both the students and the faculty involved.

Fire! Lessons Learned And Applied To Computer Systems, Kim P. Kihlstrom

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

A wildfire swept through Santa Barbara on November 13, 2008, burning 1940 acres and destroying 230 homes. Nine structures on the Westmont College campus were destroyed as well as fifteen faculty homes near campus. What insights can be drawn from this experience? We will examine some of the lessons that can be applied to the design of intrusion-tolerant computer systems.

Are Mathematical Entities Real?, Phillip E. Lestmann

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

This talk will introduce ontological questions related to mathematics. After surveying the views of Plato and Artistotle, other possible philosophical perspectives will be considered including realism, nominalism, conceptualism, and empiricism with their relative strengths and weaknesses. The discussion will conclude with a possible biblical foundation for mathematical ontology.

A Career Preparation Course For Students In Mathematics And Computer Science, Donna Pierce, Peter A. Tucker

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

As professors, we all want our students to succeed, and to be motivated to study. We all get questions from students that can be boiled down to, "What can I do with X degree?" Certainly, a quick answer is to point students to career websites, or to send them to the career services department on campus. However, we want to do better than that. We want students to learn how to investigate these future directions, and to have them think about their future more holistically--not just an effort to find a job. To that end, we have developed a course …

History Of Mathematics In The Service Of School Mathematics Education, Calvin Jongsma

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

This slide presentation outlines the author's use of history of mathematics in teaching a mathematics-content course to prospective middle school mathematics teachers. A pedagogical rationale for using history of mathematics is given, along with a case study illustrating its use for teaching the topic of ratio and proportion drawing upon the numerical and geometrical theories of such found in Euclid's Elements.

Galileo's Solution To Dante's Riddle, Andrew Simoson

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

In Dante’s Inferno, several riddles are posed regarding the relative sizes of ordinary men versus giants versus Lucifer—all of which Galileo solves in his first public lecture—which we review herein.

Sage: Math In Your Dorm Room, From Calculus To Research, Karl-Dieter Crisman

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

As computers have revolutionized math research in disciplines as disparate as number theory and bioinformatics, it is natural for us to introduce our students to technology in ways beyond mere homework-checking. However, most familiar programs are either not comprehensive enough to encompass all the math in our curriculum, or are very expensive and accessible only in a lab or with a student license. The open source software package Sage addresses all of these issues.

Sage is suitable for discovery and computation in introductory courses such as calculus or linear algebra, while also being ideal for use in upper-level courses or …

Can Critical Thinking Be Redeemed?, Jeremy Case

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

We often claim that mathematics develops critical thinking skills. Critical thinking has many different definitions, but problem solving, deduction, analyzing arguments, and identifying assumptions are all certainly a part of critical thinking. As the trend in higher education moves away from focusing exclusively on content towards assessment and learning outcomes, we can justify our endeavors since mathematics and critical thinking align themselves well.

However, when examining the ultimate purpose of critical thinking in higher education, we must take care. If there is no agreed upon content knowledge in our postmodern age, the focus of education falls elsewhere. How one thinks …

Exploring The Limits Of Computing Through Exhaustive Search, Jeffrey L. Lehman

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

Many computing problems can be solved by identifying all possible moves or combinations of events and then picking the best solution. Problems in this domain provide fertile ground for exploring problem representation, storage requirements, and computational complexity. The problems and solution approaches are easy to understand, yet quickly push the memory and storage limits of a personal computer. This paper describes insights from a preliminary investigating of two exhaustive search problems, the 15-puzzle and Rubik’s cube. The insights gained by looking at exhaustive search problems can be integrated into classroom discussions and projects.

Monoids For Math Majors, Brian D. Beasley

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2009

Inspired by an MAA PREP workshop on “The Art of Factorization in Multiplicative Structures”, this paper will treat the basics of congruence monoids and arithmetical congruence monoids with their potential for a Modern Algebra or capstone course.