Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Why Natural Selection Can't Design Anything, William A. Dembski

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2001

In The Fifth Miracle Paul Davies suggests that any laws capable of explaining the origin of life must be radically different from scientific laws known to date? The problem, as he sees it, with currently known scientific laws, like the laws of chemistry and physics, is that they cannot explain the key feature of life that needs to be explained. That feature is specified complexity. Life is both complex and specified. The basic institution here is straightforward. Davies rightly notes, laws (that is, necessities of nature) can explain specification but not complexity. Once life (or more generally some self-replicator) …

Mathematics As Worship, David J. Stucki

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2001

In keeping with the mission of this organization to explore the relationship of faith to our discipline, I would like to take this opportunity to investigate the relationship, if any, between mathematics and worship. There have been throughout history, at least since Pythagoras, connections made between the mathematical and the theological. Many of these such efforts have followed the Pythagorean cult in deifying number, thus making mathematics the object of worship. Othes have effectively situated theology in subservience to mathematical reason. However, these are not the only alternatives.

Once we admit the possibility of a connection between mathematics and theology, …

Thml: Theological Markup Language For The Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Harry Plantinga

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2001

This document describes the Theological Markup Language (ThML), an XML markup language for theological texts. ThML was developed for use in the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL), but it is hoped that the language will serve as a royalty-free format for theological texts in other applications. Key design goals are that the language should be (1) rich enough to represent information needed for digital libraries and for theological study involving multiple, related texts, including cross-reference, synchronization, indexing, and scripture references, (2) based on XML and usable with World Wide Web tools, (3) automatically convertible to other common formats, and (4) …

Integration Of A Christian Perspective In The Mathematical Sciences, Johan De Klerk

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2001

No abstract provided.

Introduction (2001), Association Of Christians In The Mathematical Sciences

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2001

Thirteenth ACMS Conference on Mathematics from a Christian Perspective

Table Of Contents (2001), Association Of Christians In The Mathematical Sciences

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2001

Thirteenth ACMS Conference on Mathematics from a Christian Perspective

Schedule (2001), Association Of Christians In The Mathematical Sciences

ACMS Conference Proceedings 2001

Thirteenth ACMS Conference on Mathematics from a Christian Perspective

A Geometry Course For Prospective Secondary School Teachers, Jeff Connor, Barbara Grover

Humanistic Mathematics Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Geometry In Action: A Curriculum Unit Utilizing Dynamic Geometry Software To Enhance Students’ Comprehension, Cynthia A. Mignini

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

The paper identifies two critical obstacles to student success in a traditional geometry classroom and examines the role dynamic geometry software can play in overcoming these obstacles.

Theism And Mathematical Realism, John Byl

ACMS Journal 2004

This paper examines connections between theism and mathematical realism. Mathematical realism, which offers the best account of mathematics, strongly supports theism. Theism, in turn, supports mathematical realism. Theism readily explains the intricate relations between mathematics, matter, and mind. The attributes of the biblical God provide a justification for classical mathematics.

Mathematics As Worship, David J. Stucki

ACMS Journal 2004

This paper treats worship in a broad, inclusive sense as the primary and necessary response of human beings to their creator. It provides a brief overview of the relationship between mathematics and theology from the Pythagoreans to the present. It argues that all knowledge is contingent upon faith and thus that contemplation of mathematical insights can lead to worship of God.

Title Page

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Application Of Biotechnology To Solve Relevant Biological Problems Promotes Understanding Of Underlying Concepts, P. A. Burrowes, G. M. Nazario

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Although some efforts have been made to modify the curriculum of the Introductory Biology laboratories from a passive to a more experimental form, the use of modern biotechnology had not been implemented at our institution. The need to understand the applications of modern technology to real-life situations seems imperative at the turn of the century [1,2]. Because several studies have shown that the study of biotechnology by itself does not increase conceptual understanding, the objective of this research was to determine if the use of biotechnology to solve relevant biological problems increased conceptual understanding among our students. We designed two …

Helping Students Master Concepts In Mechanics By Graphing With Spreadsheets, G. F. Restrepo

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

An example of a curricular activity to help students master concepts in mechanics is presented. Students measure positions and times of movements using calculators, and construct graphs using spreadsheets. Students learn to connect concepts in mechanics and reinforce them following a spiral approach of increasing complexity. Comments from students about the activity are also presented.

Creativity Vs. Structure: A Challenge In Discovery Chemistry, R. S. Lamba

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Saturday Morning Parent And Child Education (Pace), D. J. Bagby, P. A. Priestas

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Educational Research Abstracts, G. Bass Jr.

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Editors' Note: As noted in previous issues of the Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations, the purpose of this Educational Research Abstract section is to present current research on issues relevant to math and science teaching at both the K-12 and college levels. Because educational research studies are published in so many different academic journals and presented as so many different professional conferences, it is a rare public school teacher or college professor who is familiar with the range of recent reposts on a particular instructional technique or curricular advancement. Indeed, the uniqueness of various pedagogical strategies has been …

The Learning Of Mathematical Concepts And Principles Through The Integration Of Technology In Laboratory Activities, E. Morera Gonzalez

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Project Matrix: Identifying The Mathematically Talented And Meeting The Mathematical Needs Of All, M. K. Murray

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Bridges To The Baccalaureate Program At J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College And Virginia Commonwealth University, D. Neely-Fisher

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This paper describes a research apprenticeship to encourage and to inspire minority students to major in disciplines that lead to careers in biomedical research.

Aims & Scope

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Contents

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Using Manipulatives In Undergraduate Mathematics Courses, D. Moore

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

Students in undergraduate mathematics classes not only benefit from the use of manipulatives in the classroom, but also enjoy them. This paper specifically outlines one successful activity that used manipulatives in a large section of a precalculus course and then explores possibilities in other courses. It also addresses the use of mathematics manipulatives as a platform to introduce both active and cooperative learning in a large lecture setting.

The Puerto Rico Collaborative For Excellence In Teacher Preparation (Pr-Cetp): Development Of A Knowledge Building Community Of Practice, J. Arce, S. Macksoud

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

The Design, Implementation, And Assessment Of A New Capstone Course Aimed At Science Education Majors, R. Betancourt, J. Arce

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This paper rationalizes the selection of the concept of energy as the central theme of a new capstone course aimed at science education majors. It describes the goals of the course and the activities that preceded the course design and led to the selection of the topics, of the educational materials, and of the teaching methodologies. It presents a sequential description of the manner in which the conceptual knowledge of energy was to be developed. The specific experiments, interactive demonstrations and other educational materials utilized for the conceptual development of the concept of energy in context are described and referenced. …

The Transition To College Process In Pr-Cetp Scholars, E. Rivera, M. Rosa, A. Santiago, N. Torres, M. Bravo

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This article describes a study about the experiences of a group of students during the transition from high school to college. The students are future teachers who evidenced a high level of academic achievement in high school and received merit scholarships from the Puerto Rico Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (PR-CETP). Two groups of students were compared: those who sustained a high GPA during their freshman year, and those who did not and, therefore, no longer qualified for the scholarship. The study was carried out through focused interviews with eight students, from three universities, four of whom maintained the …

An Innovative University Course For Cooperating Teachers, M. Aguirre Ortiz, L. Gaspar

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The transformation of a course for certifying cooperating teachers in Puerto Rico is described. The course was transformed to strengthen the teaching of science and mathematics and to make the course more congruent with the educational principles of constructivism promoted by the CETP projects at the national level, including Puerto Rico. The 45-hour requirement was distributed over nine days. The Open Space strategy was modified to include multiple active teaching-learning and assessment techniques, which promoted a learning environment based on trust, dedication, and the commitment of all participants to learn and help each other learn. Even more relevant was the …

Understanding Of The Mole Concept Achieved By Students In A Constructivist General Chemistry Course, C. Utria-Echevarria, M. Bravo

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The purpose of this research project was to study the conceptual understanding achieved in a general chemistry course based on a constructivist approach. A group of 28 students participated in repeated measures obtained by means of conceptual maps about the mole concept prepared three times during the course: at the beginning the course, immediately after the concept was studied, and after studying other related concepts. In addition, eight students selected from the group of 28 were interviewed. The interviews were carried out focusing on their conceptual maps. The analysis of the repeated measures indicated significant differences among the three times, …

Concept Building Through Active Learning Experiences With The Calculator Based Laboratory (Cbl), N. Motta

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Program Evaluation In The Context Of Debates In The Field: The Evaluation Of Pr-Cetp, M. Bravo

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

This paper rationalizes the selection of the concept of energy as the central theme of a new capstone course aimed at science education majors. It describes the goals of the course and the activities that preceded the course design and led to the selection of the topics, of the educational materials, and of the teaching methodologies. It presents a sequential description of the manner in which the conceptual knowledge of energy was to be developed. The specific experiments, interactive demonstrations and other educational materials utilized for the conceptual development of the concept of energy in context are described and referenced. …