Conference Session

Innovative Instructional Strategies

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Martha Allen, Georgia College & State University; Amy Kelley, Georgia College & State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

centers around interactive worksheets,cooperative learning and discovery activities, and individual writing assignments.Interactive Worksheets: We have designed worksheets to complement our presentation of thesubject matter. The worksheets contain definitions, theorems, and procedures as well as theexample problems (without solutions) that we plan to discuss in class. Frequently we ask studentsto attempt a problem prior to a discussion on it. This approach allows students to take an activerole in doing linear algebra problems rather than be passive observers. In the interactiveworksheets, the examples the students are asked to work include basic computations, applicationsof theory, and applications in specific contexts. The following are excerpts

Conference Session

Bridging and Freshman Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dale Buechler, University of Wisconsin-Platteville; Christa James-Byrnes, University of Wisconsin - Barboo/Sauk County

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

comparing the average GPA of engineering graduates who tooktheir initial coursework at the UW-Colleges (3.17), versus those who took all their coursework atUW-Platteville (3.12) shows that the UW-Colleges provide quality foundation for engineeringstudents.We plan to communicate additional results from this on-going project as data becomes available. Page 13.1059.7ConclusionThe UW-Colleges still play an essential role in the education of future engineers. They provideopportunities for students who have deficiencies in their mathematics background. In general,they allow for an easier transition for students from high school to college offering

Conference Session

Innovative Instructional Strategies

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Taskin Padir, Lake Superior State University; Kimberly O. Muller, Lake Superior State University; Collette Coullard, Lake Superior State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

such as geology and chemistry also take MATH 310 even though it is not required Page 13.1157.3for their degree. These students are highly motivated as they plan to pursue a graduate programin their field of study. Therefore, they influence the classroom dynamics in a positive manner asstrong players. Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering

Conference Session

Bridging and Freshman Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Phillip Mlsna, Northern Arizona University; Janet McShane, Northern Arizona University; Jennifer Maynard, Northern Arizona University; Maya Lanzetta, Northern Arizona University; Chester Ismay, Northern Arizona University; Sarah Brown, Northern Arizona University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

, students are very unlikely to follow through with the training modulesunless this activity is a required part of their course; voluntary or suggested participation hasproduced low participation rates. Fourth, and most importantly, TIMES participation produces ameasurable and significant improvement of student performance in freshman engineeringcourses. Examination of the effect of TIMES on student retention rates in our engineeringmajors is planned as one of the next steps of our study.AcknowledgementsThe authors wish to thank the Arizona Board of Regents’ Learner-Centered Education Programand the NAU Hewlett Engineering Talent Pipeline, sponsored by the William and Flora HewlettFoundation’s Engineering Schools of the West Initiative, for

Conference Session

Innovative Instructional Strategies

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sabina Jeschke, University of Stuttgart; Akiko Kato, Technische Universitaet Berlin; Olivier Pfeiffer, Technische Universitaet Berlin; Erhard Zorn, Technische Universitaet Berlin

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

mathematics for mathematicians, engineers and natural scientists - at the TU Berlin in 2001, as a research assistant at SFB609 in Dresden from 2002-2004, and is now part of the Team of the MuLF (Center for Multimedia in Education and Research) at the TU Berlin). In the past three years, Olivier Pfeiffer focused on the organization and coordination of the involved teams and contributed to several other eLTR related projects. He is also involved in the planning and application of future eLTR projects at the Berlin University of Technology and the local coordinator at the TU Berlin of the EMECW3 project. His research interest focuses on the development of interactive mathematical objects

Conference Session

The Use of Computers in Teaching Mathematics

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jayathi Raghavan, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach; Leslie Sena, Bethune Cookman College; Hong Liu, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach; David Bethelmy, Bethune Cookman College

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

gradually from concrete thinking with the use of visual aids and hands-onexperiments to mathematical modeling and abstract thinking through its sequence of questions.Beginning modules at the lower level may be more concrete than beginning modules at a higherlevel that may start at a higher level of abstraction. Authors will contribute computationalexpertise to introduce applications through textual-graphic representations. The authors believethat the combination of mathematical rigor and visual intuitiveness will facilitate students’comprehension of complicated problems and retention of the underlying mathematical concepts.Sample module lesson planModule 1: Given below is a teacher’s lesson plan for a sample module at the algebra levelfollowing an

Conference Session

Integrating Math, Science and Engineering

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gregg Janowski, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Melinda Lalor, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Hassan Moore, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

AC 2008-2167: A NEW LOOK AT UPPER-LEVEL MATHEMATICS NEEDS INENGINEERING COURSES AT UABGregg Janowski, University of Alabama at BirminghamMelinda Lalor, University of Alabama at BirminghamHassan Moore, University of Alabama at Birmingham Page 13.72.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 NEW LOOK AT UPPER-LEVEL MATHEMATICS NEEDS IN ENGINEERING COURSES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAMAbstractA four semester-hour course is being designed to follow Calculus II, with the intention ofreplacing Calculus III and Differential Equations in the engineering curricula at the University ofAlabama at Birmingham. As part of the planning

Conference Session

Engineering and Math Potpouri

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeffrey Fong, National Institute of Standards and Technology; James Filliben, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Alan Heckert, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Roland deWit, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

over many years by large teams, routinely deliver simulations without a global "guarantee" of correctness, and the users must devote considerable resources to plan and conduct ad-hoc numerical experiments before using the software with confidence. The fact that lessons learned during those ad-hoc experiments are seldom documented and calibrated with benchmarks gives rise to a trustworthy issue, i.e., different FEM software gives different results of simulations for the same mesh design and mathematical model of a specific physical