Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Creationism - A Viable Philosophy Of Mathematics, Jonathan Zderad

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

The purpose of this essay is to try to answer the ontological and epistemological question of mathematics. Specifically, "What, if any, of mathematics exists in the objective sense?" And, "How do we as humans know that our knowledge of mathematics is correct?" These questions will be investigated by looking at the applications or mathematics, the practice of mathematicians, and most telling, the content of mathematics. Mathematics, admittedly, can only go so far in answering its own philosophical questions, even when aided by recent developments in the field of logic. The overwhelming evidence, as will be shown, points toward a theistic, …

A Greater Tantalizer, Andrew Simoson

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

The children’s puzzle, sometimes called the Great Tantalizer, consists of four blocks each of whose faces have been colored with four colors; a solution consists in stacking the blocks so that on each stack face, all four colors appear. This article renders the puzzle as six octahedral blocks, each of which is colored with six colors, and describes a scheme to successfully stack all six.

Light Meals And Morsels From Mathematics Magazine, Paul Zorn

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

No abstract provided.

General-Education Mathematics Course From A Christian Perspective, Saburo Matsumoto, Ph.D.

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

No abstract provided.

Some Fibonacci Gems, Peter Rothmaler

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

No abstract provided.

A Christian Perspective On Mathematics - History Of Mathematics And Study Guides, Johan H. De Klerk

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

No abstract provided.

Learning To Construct Proofs In A First Course On Mathematical Proof, Peter R. Atwood, Ph.D.

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

No abstract provided.

The Search For The Real Josephus Problem, Eric Gossett

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

Many of the problems that mathematicians and computer scientists dearly love have been around for a long time. One such problem is known as the Josephus Problem, named after the first century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus. Josephus did not invent the problem. Instead, an event from his life served as the inspiration for the problem statement. Many current books refer to "Mathematical Recreations and Essays" by W. W. Rouse Ball [originally published in 1892] for the problem statement. The problem is quite interesting (and will be solved here). However, the story, as quoted in Bell, is not completely accurate.

The Inverse Problem: Christianity Through A Mathematical Lens, Sharon K. Robbert

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

An inverse problem is a partner problem that reverses some type of direct problem. Usually the inverse problem is more challenging to solve than the direct problem: integration is more challenging than differentiation, factoring large numbers is more challenging than multiplying numbers. In this paper, the author poses that using mathematical thinking to understand the concepts of theological principles is the direct problem to the much more challenging inverse problem of using theological thinking to influence understanding in mathematics. Acknowledging that a problem is difficult allows one to be satisfied with understanding small pieces and progressing slowly to a complete …

Integrating Laptops Into A Mathematics Curriculum, Mary Wagner-Krankel

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

In 1999, St. Mary's University in San Antonio received a Title V Grant, providing $2.1 million over five years. The money was used to help finance computers for students, fund faculty training for computer-related curriculum, convert traditional classrooms into technology or "Smart classrooms", and upgrade the school's Internet connections. This article discusses specific software and hardware advancements made at the University through this grant. The article also describes how the Math department specifically integrated the laptops into their courses using software programs such as Mathcad and Blackboard.

Men Are From The Server Side, Women Are From The Client Side: A Biblical Perspective On Men, Women And Computer Science, Kim Potter Kihlstrom

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

The percentage of women in computer science is small and has decreased over the last twenty years. Why is this the case, when computer science is a wonderful and growing field with many opportunities? I believe that the situation has its roots in the basic differences between men and women, differences that were present from the beginning of creation and are a part of the way that God made male and female uniquely. In order to ensure that both talented men and women are attracted to computer science, we need to understand the differences between men and women, and how …

Mathematics, Science, And George Macdonald, David L. Neuhouser

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

In writing about George MacDonald choosing a college major, biographer William Raeper wrote that he chose “chemistry, a strange choice perhaps for a future novelist and poet and not an easy one for him to make.” He further conjectured that MacDonald’s choice was based on “common sense and sound economics” rather than “his poetic yearnings.” Many would agree with Raeper that science is a strange choice for a future poet and novelist. This paper argues that the role of beauty and imagination is very similar in science, mathematics, and literature, so it might not be so strange that someone could …

Mathematical Models And Reality, John Byl

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

This paper examines the nature and function of mathematical models, using illustrations from cosmology, space geometry and atomic physics. Mathematical models enable us to make precise calculations and predictions; they serve as analogies and conceptual frameworks that lead to new discoveries; and they bridge the gap between appearance and reality. Their success implies that the universe had a mathematical structure. However, one must be careful not to confuse models of reality with reality itself. A variety of models can represent the same data; any model can be given different physical interpretations. The choice of a model and its interpretation depends …

Mathematics And The Love Of God: An Introduction To The Thought Of Simone Weil, Scott Taylor

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

No abstract provided.

Non-Random Equidistant Letter Sequence Extensions In Ezekiel, Richard E. Sherman, Nathan Jacobi

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

No abstract provided.

A Pseudo-History Of Number Systems, Richard Laatsch

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

No abstract provided.

Mathematics And The Love Of God: An Introduction To The Thought Of Simone Weil, Scott Taylor

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

Simone Weil was the sister of Andre Weil, one of the twentieth century's foremost mathematicians. She is a widely read and creative writer on spiritual themes. She addressed mathematics extensively in her writings. This paper discusses her views of mathematics and beauty, her critiques of modern science, her views on truth, and her concept that mathematical ideas can serve as symbols of spiritual ideas.

Introduction (2003), Association Of Christians In The Mathematical Sciences

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

Fourteenth Conference of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences

Schedule (2003), Association Of Christians In The Mathematical Sciences

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

Fourteenth Conference of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences

A Christian Perspective On Mathematics – History Of Mathematics And Study Guides, Johan Deklerk

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

This paper addresses two questions: (1) Will a study of the history of the subject serve any purpose in promoting a Christian perspective on mathematics? (2) Can the "science in context" approach be of further help in promoting such a perspective? The author answers both positively and provides specific examples of how he has done this in his own classes.

Table Of Contents (2003), Association Of Christians In The Mathematical Sciences

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2003

Fourteenth Conference of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences

Working With Teachers: Practical Suggestion Stimulates Teacher’S Self-Reflection, Harcharan Pardhan

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

No abstract provided.

Measuring The Environmental Attitudes Of Children In Grade 4: A Study In Clark County, Amir Khawaja

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is an increased positive effect on children's attitude when they are taught about the environment in an outdoor/hands-on setting versus an indoor traditional classroom setting. The study focused on grade four students in the Clark County School District. Half of the group was comprised of students that were taught about the environment using traditional classroom learning materials while the other half consisted of students that were taught using the outdoor/hands-on approach. In order to test the results, the students were given a survey. The questionnaire created by Malkus and Musser …

A Christian Perspective On Mathematics – History Of Mathematics And Study Guides, Johan Deklerk

ACMS Journal 2004

This paper addresses two questions: (1) Will a study of the history of the subject serve any purpose in promoting a Christian perspective on mathematics? (2) Can the "science in context" approach be of further help in promoting such a perspective? The author answers both positively and provides specific examples of how he has done this in his own classes.

Creationism – A Viable Philosophy Of Mathematics, Jonathan Zderad

ACMS Journal 2004

In this paper, the author addresses two classical questions of the philosophy of mathematics: What, if any, of mathematics exists in the objective sense? How do humans know that our knowledge of mathematics is correct? He argues that the Christian doctrine of God as creator provides a basis for answering these questions. He also provides a critique of eight widely discussed philosophies of mathematics.

Mathematics And The Love Of God: An Introduction To The Thought Of Simone Weil, Scott Taylor

ACMS Journal 2004

Simone Weil was the sister of Andre Weil, one of the twentieth century's foremost mathematicians. She is a widely read and creative writer on spiritual themes. She addressed mathematics extensively in her writings. This paper discusses her views of mathematics and beauty, her critiques of modern science, her views on truth, and her concept that mathematical ideas can serve as symbols of spiritual ideas.

Effectiveness Of Educator-Oriented Content Courses, Joslyn K. Burt

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

The idea of teaching science strikes fear into the hearts and minds of many elementary teachers; however, as a core piece of the overall curriculum, they cannot escape teaching science. The courses taken at the university and the professional development classes taken on the job play a critical role in helping educators feel comfortable teaching science. Such courses also impact how the content is taught by introducing the best practices used in science teaching.

As a Basic Science Minor in the College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa, I have taken many science content courses and several courses …

Lessons Learned In A Math Excel Workshop: The Importance Of Maintaining High Cognitive Demands, T. Dick

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Uri Treisman's Emerging Scholars Workshop model has been implemented on many college campuses over the last twenty years. The Treisman model is based on groups of students meeting regularly in a social atmosphere to work collaboratively in solving challenging mathematics problems related to their introductory coursework. Emerging Scholars Programs (or Math Excel as it is called in many settings, including ours) have been particularly successful in increasing the academic success and participation of underrepresented groups in mathematics. The primary responsibilities of a workshop leader include the design of a session’s worksheet, as well as the facilitation of students' problem solving …

Contents

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Making Upper Division Mathematics Courses Relevant For Pre-Service Teachers, G. Hill

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article addresses the disconnect that in-service and pre-service secondary school teachers feel between the material presented in upper division mathematics courses and high school classroom practice. Two examples are given from an abstract algebra course in which this problem is addressed.