- Mathematics
- Focus
Group
- Report
-
- Introduction
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective
4
Objective 5
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Objective
#1
To
investigate the optimal requirements for facilities, pedagogy, and faculty
training needed in the teaching of Developmental Mathematics using
Learning
Equation software.
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| The
group was disappointed upon arrival at the University of Houston
to find that the building housing their entire mathematics department
and classrooms had been flooded by the recent rains, making it
impossible to see any of their mathematics facilities. However,
the group was able to talk with math professor, Dr. Henry Decell
regarding his use of Learning Equation for Beginning and
Intermediate Algebra. Dr. Decell informed the group that
students taking these developmental courses must complete all
work off campus and receive only pencil and paper help from assistants
in on-campus open math labs. No lectures are available and no
help is given on the software program itself. At the end
of the course, students take the same comprehensive final on campus
as the traditional students. Their scores are as good or
better than the scores of the traditional lecture students. Dr.
Decell also reported that the Learning Equation works well
for commuting students as the work can be done at home or on any
available computer. The publishing companys server is effectively
used to support this software package rather than the U of H college
server. The department is currently developing the syllabi
for College Algebra using Learning Equation. Syllabi
using Learning Equation for Beginning and Intermediate
Algebra, College Algebra and a test generator used at U of H will
be sent to the mathematics department at TCCs Portsmouth Campus. Kevin
Connors of Learning Equation was recommended as a good resource
for setting up TCCs courses and management system using this
software. |
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Recommendation:
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| The
Portsmouth Campus will offer two sections of Math 03 in the fall of 2001
using Learning Equation. Unlike the classes at the University of
Houston, lectures will be available and help will be given in class on
the software program; however, students will be encouraged to do much of
the computer work outside of class. Students can expect to get only pencil
and paper help in the math lab. The management system will be set up on
the Learning Equation server, rather than the Portsmouth campus
server. Faculty will be trained by Kevin Connors prior to the beginning
of the fall semester. A computer lab is essential for the class meetings. |
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Go to [1]
- [2] - [3]
- [4] - [5] - [6]
...visit three
page
Mathematics Focus
Group Report
submitted by:
Stan Barto
Marilyn
Peacock
Al
Pearce
Mary
Jane Naismith
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