FALL 2013

DATE	SPEAKER/EVENT
January 28^th Math East 143	Speaker: John Dossey, former Distinguished University Professor of Mathematics at Illinois State University, President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics from 1986-1988, and Chair of the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences from 1996-1998. Title: Large Scale International Studies of Mathematics Ability: What Does the Recent Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies 2012 (PIAAC-2012) Tell Us? Abstract: This year and next see the results of several national and international studies of mathematics, mathematical literacy, problem solving, and beliefs about mathematics being released. These studies (TIMSS, PISA, PIAAC, and NAEP) are well-planned statistical studies of learners’ knowledge of basic content and the ability to apply that content in relevant settings. While one can take exception with some aspects of the studies, the design of these studies provide a look into what students have learned, the degree to which they have mastered that material, how they characterize their relationship with mathematics, and how they approach and solve problems. In this talk, the focus will be on PIAAC 2012, an assessment carried out by the Education Directorate of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2012. This study examined reading in the subjects’ mother tongues and mathematical literacy. The findings are based on the results drawn from the performances of 157,000 people in 20 countries who participated in the stratified random sample designed study. The subjects ranged in age from 16 to 65 years of age and provide a picture of the residue of schooling and life experiences has on the subjects’ capabilities to approach and solve mathematical problems and apply mathematical concepts. Specific examples of items from the assessment will be analyzed and related to the overall assessment results and to results related to sub-areas of mathematical literacy.
February 4^th Math East 143	Reading Group: We will discuss the paper Addressing Common Student Errors With Classroom Voting in Multivariable Calculus by K. Cline et al. found at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10511970.2012.697098#.UvA8e_u2ykw
February 11^th Math East 143	Speaker: Susan Durst, Visiting Faculty, UA Title: Building Bridges to Beauty: designing enrichment classes for high school students Abstract: Enrichment programs for mathematically talented students are unique, dynamic learning environments, with their own set of challenges.  The students are highly motivated, curious, and quick to learn.  However, they have few of the traditional prerequisites that we think of as essential for the pursuit of higher mathematics.  In this talk I will discuss strategies for designing enrichment courses for talented young mathematicians, drawing on my experiences at Canada/USA Mathcamp.
February 25^th Math East 143	Speaker: Jason Aubrey, Visiting Faculty, UA Title: Student Perceptions and Performance in a 'Flipped' Classroom. Abstract: In 2011 the University of Missouri began offering substantial internal funding for efforts to 'redesign' large service courses.  In this talk, I will describe the project I lead to redesign the course "Math 1300: Finite Mathematics" at MU.  I will also discuss the results of a study we conducted during the pilot phase to assess student satisfaction with the redesigned sections and compare student performance between the pilot and non-pilot sections.
March 11^th Math East 143	Reading Group: We will discuss the paper: Generating multiple answers for a word problem with insufficient information by S. Kinda: http://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ983160
March 25^th Math East 143	Reading Group: We will discuss the article "Will massive open online courses change how we teach?" by F. G. Martin: http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2240246&bnc=1
April 1^st Math East 143	Reading Group: We will discuss the paper: Transitions from Live to Online Teaching by E. Fernández http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10511970.2013.821193#.UxP25c7DtZI
April 8^th Math East 143	Reading Group: We will discuss the paper: ENCOURAGING STUDENTS TO READ MATHEMATICS by Mary D. Shepherd: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10511970508984113#.U0HEuKJRrIg
April 15^th Math East 143	Speaker: Erin Williams, Instructor, UA Title: Development of Online Math 116 Abstract: Over the past year an online version of the in-person Math 116 (Business Calculus) course has been under development. This will initially run during Summer I & II. In this talk, we will first discuss how the typical Math 116 course is structured and then go on to detail how that structure will be modified and what other changes will need to be made to suit an online section of the course.
April 22^th Math East 143	Speaker: Cody Patterson, Faculty, UA Title: Three Dimensions of Course Design for Preservice Secondary Teachers Abstract: In mathematics content courses for preservice secondary teachers, we aim to achieve three goals: build deep understanding of mathematical concepts that are central to grades K-12, develop awareness of connections among different mathematical ideas and perspective on the subject of mathematics as a whole, and stretch students' problem-solving skills by applying ideas from K-12 mathematics to rich, challenging problems. In this talk, I will present some examples of how this philosophy guided my design of Math 407, a capstone mathematics course for preservice secondary teachers. I will present some activities in which I use topics and problems from K-12 mathematics to spark the development of stronger understanding and problem-solving skills and develop preservice teachers' identity as mathematicians.