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Articles 841 - 870 of 973

Full-Text Articles in Higher Education

Integration Of Multimedia Interactive Web Tools With In-Class Active Learning, A. Ganz, K. Wongthavarawat, A. Phonphoem Jan 2000

Integration Of Multimedia Interactive Web Tools With In-Class Active Learning, A. Ganz, K. Wongthavarawat, A. Phonphoem

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

In this paper, we present our experience with an introduction to engineering course in which we used a combination of active and collaborative teaching methods, multimedia web-based material, and web-based interactive tools. The students were engaged in active learning in class with methods such as demonstrations, hands-on work, and group work. After class, the students used the web-based material that we developed, such as multiple choice quizzes, interactive applets, and animations. We have also developed a number of web-based course management tools that were used by the course instructors. We conclude that both the students and instructors had a very …

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The Thayer Method: Student Active Learning With Positive Results, E. Connors Jan 2000

The Thayer Method: Student Active Learning With Positive Results, E. Connors

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Graduation from West Point requires successful completion of four courses in the mathematical sciences. These core mathematics courses include topics in discrete dynamical systems, differential and integral calculus (single variable and multivariable), differential equations, linear algebra, probability, and statistics. The instructional system employed throughout the core is the "Thayer Method," named for Colonel Sylvanus Thayer, "the Father of the Military Academy." In the Thayer Method, traces of cooperative education and "discovery learning" are evident. It is quintessential active learning. The West Point catalyst is the fundamental principle that cadets are responsible for their own education.

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Teaching Innovations In An Introductory Physics Course For Non-Science Majors, W. J. Mullin Jan 2000

Teaching Innovations In An Introductory Physics Course For Non-Science Majors, W. J. Mullin

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

I have made several innovations to Physics 114: Physics of Sound, a course for Communication Disorders and General Education students at the University of Massachusetts. These changes include the use of a network of wireless communication devices called a Personal Response System, on-line tutorials and classnotes, a collaborative discussion section, exam corrections, microthemes, extra-credit papers, group extra-credit projects, and the use of student teaching assistants.

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Experiences And Thoughts On Stemtec-Inspired Changes In Teaching Physics For Life Science Majors, M. S. Z. Rabin Jan 2000

Experiences And Thoughts On Stemtec-Inspired Changes In Teaching Physics For Life Science Majors, M. S. Z. Rabin

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

I have taught an introductory course for life science majors three times, each time introducing one or more teaching techniques discussed during the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Teaching Education Collaborative (STEMTEC) meetings. Typical class size was 275 students. I cannot make quantitative statements about comparisons between the results of STEMTEC-type teaching methods and traditional teaching methods because I have never taught this course in a completely traditional lecture style. During the first year, I introduced conceptual questions into my lectures. The lecture would be interrupted several times with questions posed to the class. The students then had several minutes …

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Shaping Pre-Service Teachers' Attitudes: An Inquiry Approach To Course Reform, M. F. Neathery, B. Campbell, J. Chandler Jan 2000

Shaping Pre-Service Teachers' Attitudes: An Inquiry Approach To Course Reform, M. F. Neathery, B. Campbell, J. Chandler

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the development of pre-service teachers’ attitudes toward teaching science with inquiry methods as the result of their participation in the two-hour elementary science methods class. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a partner in the Oklahoma Teacher Education Collaborative (OTEC) which is funded by the National Science Foundation’s reform effort, Collaboratives for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (CETP). The reform effort focuses on the revision of the teacher preparation courses with emphasis on a systemic change in the method in which math, science, and education methods courses are taught across Oklahoma. Nine Oklahoma universities, …

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The Impact Of A Summer Workshop: Staff Orientation At Mesa Community College, D. Sawada, J. Turley Jan 2000

The Impact Of A Summer Workshop: Staff Orientation At Mesa Community College, D. Sawada, J. Turley

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The Arizona Collaborative for Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers (ACEPT) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded project to reform teacher preparation in Arizona. One of the major modes for initiating both collaboration and reform between and among university and community college staff has been the Summer Faculty Enhancement Workshops developed and offered by ACEPT co-principal investigators each summer since 1996. The summer of 1999 featured five workshops, one of which was the Geology Summer Workshop which brought participants into close contact with eighteen reformed practices appropriate for large lecture style classes. One of the nineteen participants was Ray …

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Aims & Scope Jan 2000

Aims & Scope

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

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Origins And Development Of The Massey Cancer Center, Walter Lawrence Jr. Jan 2000

Origins And Development Of The Massey Cancer Center, Walter Lawrence Jr.

VCU University History Books

A history of the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University written by Director Emeritus, Walter Lawrence, Jr., M.D. The volume includes photographs and a timeline. Lawrence's signature appears on the title page.

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Community College Perspectives On Teacher Preparation In Virginia, D. L. Neely-Fisher Jan 1999

Community College Perspectives On Teacher Preparation In Virginia, D. L. Neely-Fisher

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The need for future teachers who are well versed in mathematics and science will not be provided by Virginia’s four-year institutions alone. A large portion of those students who complete their K-8 teacher preparation programs at Virginia’s four-year institutions have studied a significant portion, if not all, of their mathematics and science at community colleges. Therefore, if future teachers are to have completed appropriate mathematics and science courses these must be provided by the community colleges. In addition, community colleges can play a critical role in attracting people with a high potential for becoming excellent teachers. Two-year colleges are located …

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Experimental Design At The Intersection Of Mathematics, Science, And Technology In Grades K-6, R N. Giese, M. M. Mason Jan 1999

Experimental Design At The Intersection Of Mathematics, Science, And Technology In Grades K-6, R N. Giese, M. M. Mason

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Interdisciplinary courses, highlighting as they do the area(s) the disciplines have in common, often give the misperception of a single body of knowledge and/or way of knowing. However, discipline based courses often leave the equally mistaken notion that the disciplines have nothing in common. The task of the methods courses described in this paper is to reach an appropriate balance so that our pre-service elementary (K-6) teachers have a realistic perception of the independence and interdependence of mathematics and science. At the College of William and Mary each cohort of pre-service elementary teachers enrolls in mathematics and science methods courses …

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Curriculum Restructuring At Lynchburg College: Effects Of Realignment To State-Mandated Competencies And Implications For K-6 Math And Science Teacher Preparation, W. Mckenzie, C. Messerschmidt Jan 1999

Curriculum Restructuring At Lynchburg College: Effects Of Realignment To State-Mandated Competencies And Implications For K-6 Math And Science Teacher Preparation, W. Mckenzie, C. Messerschmidt

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Because Lynchburg College offers a four-year program to attain teacher licensure, current restructuring efforts have been aimed at targeting the professional studies requirements across a program of courses that are efficiently integrated. Math and science methods courses will be combined into a workshop course. A new general studies program has been approved which requires eight hours of lab sciences and three hours of math. A General Science course has been approved which will be geared towards pre-service teachers. The professional core requires an additional eight hours of lab sciences, totaling 16 hours in science, and six hours of math, geared …

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Wonders Of Technology-Teaching Physics To Non-Scientists, V. A. Niculescu, P. Martin Jan 1999

Wonders Of Technology-Teaching Physics To Non-Scientists, V. A. Niculescu, P. Martin

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Wonders of Technology is a conceptual physics course developed for non—science majors. The approach taken here in the introduction of the physical concepts is to depict their role in today’s technology, specifically the technology familiar to the students, and also to emphasize the connection between technology, art, and culture from the historical perspective. Why this approach? The traditional method of teaching physics is perceived by many students as "user-unfriendly" — they think physics is difficult, abstract, and, in fact, of little or no relevance to everyday life. The course Wonders of Technology alleviates this perception by placing the students on …

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Innovative Opportunities For Elementary And Middle School Teachers To Maintain Currency In Mathematics And Science: A Community College-School System Partnership, B. Ellis, M. Giacofci, D. Riley, P. Scott Jan 1999

Innovative Opportunities For Elementary And Middle School Teachers To Maintain Currency In Mathematics And Science: A Community College-School System Partnership, B. Ellis, M. Giacofci, D. Riley, P. Scott

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Since 1992 the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College – in response to requests from local school systems – has developed four innovative methods of assisting elementary, secondary and middle school teachers to enhance their content knowledge in science and mathematics, as well as integrate curriculum units for classroom presentation. These methods are based on the assumptions that: - While teachers at this level have fundamental understanding of math and science, if they wish to incorporate new concepts or technologies from these fields, graduate level content courses are generally beyond their background level. - Community College faculty can often …

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Education School Challenges: The Increasing Demands On K-8 Teachers, A. J. Benson Jan 1999

Education School Challenges: The Increasing Demands On K-8 Teachers, A. J. Benson

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The educational needs of future K-8 teachers in the areas of mathematics and science are greater as a result of the increased (and, I would add, appropriate) student expectations in the area of mathematics and science as enunciated in the SOL and the specific content areas as described in the new licensure requirements. The sophistication and understanding of science and mathematics that is needed at both the elementary school and middle school levels is indeed substantial. However, proficiency in science and mathematics is only one portion of the total needs of new teachers. How are we all, from the Colleges …

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Teaching And Learning Seminar For Science And Mathematics Faculty, D. R. Sterling Jan 1999

Teaching And Learning Seminar For Science And Mathematics Faculty, D. R. Sterling

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

A yearlong seminar for science and mathematics faculty to investigate teaching and learning is in its second year at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. This article describes the seminar and preliminary findings from the first year.

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Teaching Physical Science Through Technology: Middle School Vcu Phy 591, V. A, Niculescu, D. B. Hagan Jan 1999

Teaching Physical Science Through Technology: Middle School Vcu Phy 591, V. A, Niculescu, D. B. Hagan

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Teaching Physical Science through Technology is a new 3-credit laboratory-and-lecture based course designed to serve as an introduction to the teaching of physical science concepts at the middle school level. Physical science phenomena are presented through investigations of commonly known applications of technology and focus on the Virginia Science Standards of Learning for 6th Grade Science and the Physical Science courses. Topics include matter, gravity, mechanics, heat, optics, electricity and magnetism, and computers as seen in their roles in common devices. The development of the course includes assessment from six semesters, collaboration with other institutions including the Science Museum of …

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On The Job Mathematics, G. Rublein Jan 1999

On The Job Mathematics, G. Rublein

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

What kind of course work is appropriate for a general education mathematics requirement? In most instances, students see a presentation of one or more mathematical topics followed by some applications. Sometimes these applications are characterized as ‘real world’ even though no person would ever be paid to work the problems that students are given. We will describe an approach to this issue that requires students to replicate mathematical work that is done by people who want to keep their jobs. Only a small minority can make money doing mathematics for entertainment. Hence, we omit for this category everyone employed in …

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Technology Integration In A Science And Mathematics Methods Course: Addressing Virginia's Computer/Technology Standards Of Learning, G. Meadows, M. Sheckels Jan 1999

Technology Integration In A Science And Mathematics Methods Course: Addressing Virginia's Computer/Technology Standards Of Learning, G. Meadows, M. Sheckels

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools [1] require a high level of knowledge in the use of computers and technology on the part of both students and educators. The Education Department at Mary Washington College has decided to prepare its students to meet this challenge by adopting a strategy of program wide integration of technology, bringing appropriate uses of technology into each education course. This strategy calls for the use of technology by both students and instructors. The course Instructional Skills in the Elementary Classroom, a science and mathematics planning course, served as a proving ground for this …

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Liberal Studies At Longwood College: Preparing Teachers For Virginia's Future, J. D. Smith Jan 1999

Liberal Studies At Longwood College: Preparing Teachers For Virginia's Future, J. D. Smith

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The Liberal Studies Major provides future teachers studying at Longwood College with an excellent opportunity to prepare for all aspects of teaching in elementary school classrooms. In the area of mathematics and science, the Liberal Studies Major contains a total of 24 hours of mathematics and science, and prepares future K-6 classroom teachers to teach all components of the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) in these disciplines. Longwood College is currently studying how requirements can be modified within the Liberal Studies Program to make it possible for students to complete the discipline specific course work that will be necessary for …

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A Preliminary Analysis Of The Supply And Demand For Middle School Mathematics And Science Teachers In Virginia, J. A. Sigler Jan 1999

A Preliminary Analysis Of The Supply And Demand For Middle School Mathematics And Science Teachers In Virginia, J. A. Sigler

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Virginia Colleges and Universities have a major challenge to produce educated elementary and middle school students. The magnitude of this challenge can be measured by studying the number of current teachers in each grade in Virginia and the anticipated retirements and departures from the profession for other reasons. The new licensure requirements have their biggest impact for the preparation of middle school teachers since middle school teachers will no longer be able to receive general middle school certification.

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Creating The Need To Know, A. L. Buikema Jr. Jan 1999

Creating The Need To Know, A. L. Buikema Jr.

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Context-based teaching provides a strategy that gives the responsibility of learning back to the student. This approach is being used at Virginia Tech in a number of settings, including an introductory Biology class with 325 students.

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Hands-On Physical Science Course At Radford University, T. Tanaka Jan 1999

Hands-On Physical Science Course At Radford University, T. Tanaka

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Most students in our introductory physical science course are elementary education majors. We are faced with several obstacles in teaching basic science to these students. For example, they lack interest in science, logical thinking, and necessary data gathering and analysis skills, among others. Many of those obstacles could be traced back to the science courses they had taken in the past. Those courses put more emphasis on memorizing scientific facts than understanding natural phenomena or experiencing scientific methods. As a result, the students tend to have a negative attitude toward science in general. In order to reverse this attitude, We …

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Preparing Preservice Teachers For The Experimental Design And Data Analysis Sol's, J. E. Wright Jr. Jan 1999

Preparing Preservice Teachers For The Experimental Design And Data Analysis Sol's, J. E. Wright Jr.

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Many elementary teachers find teaching the science Standards of Learning (SOL) difficult [1, 2]. Some are even threatened by them. Of particular concern are the SOLs related to experimental design, handling data, and the scientific method. A possible reason for this discomfort is because many of these elementary teachers have had limited-to-no exposure to experimentation. As one of the activities included under a recent National Science Foundation Science Teachers Enhancement Project (STEP) grant awarded to Hampton University in conjunction with Virginia Union University and St. Paul's College, we included a teacher science fair competition. A special workbook/text was developed for …

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Informal Geometry In The Preparation Of Teachers: A New Mathematics Course At The University Of Virginia, L. D. Pitt Jan 1999

Informal Geometry In The Preparation Of Teachers: A New Mathematics Course At The University Of Virginia, L. D. Pitt

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Students require a rich variety of hands-on geometric experiences before they progress to more formal traditional geometric instruction. This fact has often been ignored in the mathematics preparation of today’s teachers. At the University of Virginia a new general education geometry course, The Shape of Space, is being developed that focuses on obtaining deep understandings of elementary geometry through physical and visual activities.

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Impact Of A New Introductory Mathematical Modeling Course On Student Confidence In Mathematical Ability And Skills, P. Dean, D. Hydorn, S. Sumner Jan 1999

Impact Of A New Introductory Mathematical Modeling Course On Student Confidence In Mathematical Ability And Skills, P. Dean, D. Hydorn, S. Sumner

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Interdisciplinary mathematics and science courses are increasing in popularity. Faculty teaching these courses are given the opportunity to show how mathematics plays an important role in science and how it can be used to improve our understanding of mathematics and science. This paper discusses a new course in mathematical modeling that focuses on environmental issues. Course content and format are presented, as well as the results of a study on the changes in students’ perceptions of their mathematical abilities as a result of taking this new course.

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Experiencing Science, An Introduction To "Real" Methods Of Science For The Preservice Teacher, D. L. Neely-Fisher, D. B. Hagan Jan 1999

Experiencing Science, An Introduction To "Real" Methods Of Science For The Preservice Teacher, D. L. Neely-Fisher, D. B. Hagan

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The "scientific method" presented in the middle school classroom introduces the experimental approach of science in a way that may actually bear little resemblance to the processes actually used by working scientists. Teachers equipped with an insight into the motivations, philosophy, tools, and culture of science will better convey an accurate and positive picture of science as a critically important human endeavor. The Experiencing Science course was designed to answer the challenge of giving the pre-service teacher and decision-maker better insight into actual processes used by scientists, in the context of each of the major disciplines.

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Rapporteur's Report, W. E. Haver Jan 1999

Rapporteur's Report, W. E. Haver

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The agenda for the Statewide Conference places a number of important challenges for Virginia’s colleges and universities on the table. The new licensure requirements in the areas of mathematics and science for prospective K-8 teachers represent a major, and very much needed, change in current practice. It will be extremely difficult for those of us in the science, mathematics, and education departments to make the necessary changes to respond to this challenge. This report will attempt to measure the magnitude of the changes needed to produce the requisite numbers of adequately prepared teachers, the extent to which individual colleges and …

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Aims & Scope Jan 1999

Aims & Scope

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

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Virginia Commonwealth University's Program For K-6 And 6-8 Teachers: The Interdisciplinary B.S. In Science, R. W. Farley Jan 1999

Virginia Commonwealth University's Program For K-6 And 6-8 Teachers: The Interdisciplinary B.S. In Science, R. W. Farley

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has very recently revised its requirements for the K-6 Certification to include a total of 21 hours in mathematics and science as well as a three credit hour methods course in mathematics and science. This requirement includes a physical science and a biological science course, each with a laboratory component, a contemporary mathematics course with extensive student projects, collaborative work and applications, a statistics course and interdisciplinary science and mathematics course. We believe that as students complete these requirements they will meet the new State K-6 licensure requirements in all areas, with the exception of geometry. …

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A Model For Faculty Collaboration In Preparing Virginia's K-8 Teachers, B. F. Risacher Jan 1999

A Model For Faculty Collaboration In Preparing Virginia's K-8 Teachers, B. F. Risacher

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The overall goals of the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) [1] are for students to become good problem solvers and communicators about mathematics, to reason logically and to make connections within mathematics and to other disciplines such as in solving science problems. Unfortunately, the beliefs about teaching of many preservice teachers are not consistent with these goals. Furthermore, the college mathematics courses experienced by preservice teachers are generally in contrast to these goals. This study outlines a collaborative effort of three colleges to encourage faculty to adopt a more student-investigative style of instruction A planning team offered a semester of …

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