Conference Session

Innovative Instructional Strategies

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Schmeelk, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar Branch; Jean Hodges, Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar Branch

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

students’responses revealed sudden engagement with the mathematical concepts as students discovered a Page 14.1382.8relationship to their interests and passions. Some students reported really struggling with some ofthe concepts and repeatedly seeking additional outside help or conducting online research.In her discussion of symmetry, one student chose the capital letter H to illustrate symmetry,rotation, and glide reflections. As she concluded her answer, her enthusiasm became evident: Overall, the letter H in Helvetica has tons of different kinds of symmetry. A nice re-design I see for this where it would still be very

Conference Session

Integrating Math, Science, and Engineering

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eduardo Chappa, Texas A&M International University; Terutake Abe, Texas A&M International University; Fethi Belkhouche, Texas A&M International University; Rohitha Goonatilake, Texas A&M International University; Qingwen Ni, Texas A&M International University; Rafic Bachnak, Texas A&M International University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

Page 14.773.2Engineering and other disciplines explicitly.The process of revising the Mission and Vision statements itself was short. It took about two meetings intwo weeks, and a few e-mail exchanges, for faculty to agree on their new job description. TheAssessment Committee started the process by modifying the document to include all disciplines in thedepartment. Most faculty did not feel comfortable in modifying the document past that, because they feltthat the current Mission and Vision Statements already reflected well the current activities in theDepartment. The activities, as listed in the Mission statement, are very generic, and therefore are easy forfaculty to agree on.Developing Program OutcomesDuring the spring semester of 2008

Conference Session

Innovative Instructional Strategies

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Josue Njock-Libii, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

ofthe motion at hand. Our experiments suggest that this is due to the fact that the coefficient ofviscous damping is a dynamic variable rather than a fixed parameter that solely reflects theinteraction among the viscosity of the fluid, the geometry of the oscillating mass and its surfacecondition.Finally, in addition to their use to check the validity of the solution of the differential equationshown in Eq.(1), the data included in this paper (Table 2) could also be used in class byinstructors to demonstrate the process of fitting an exponential function to experimental data as apractical use of natural logarithms in physics and engineering.References 1. Lalanne, Michel, and Guy Ferraris, Rotordynamics Prediction in Engineering

Conference Session

Computers and Software in Teaching Mathemathetics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jenna Carpenter, Louisiana Tech University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

weekend, making such assignments challenging to complete. For thepurposes of this study, assignments due during the weekend (Friday or Saturday night) wereassigned early enough to permit students to complete them prior to leaving campus. Still, itwould be prudent to make weekend assignments due on Sunday evening so that commutingstudents or those who leave campus for the weekend are not penalized for lack of access to theinternet.The wiki, podcasts and blog again generated only a few, mixed comments, reflecting minimalstudent use.Based on this feedback, it appears that shifting the podcasts and assignment information toBlackboard, along with posting of grades on Blackboard, would be a smarter strategy forattempting to reach students with these

Conference Session

Mathematics: Recruitment and Retention

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Doug Bullock, Boise State University; Janet Callahan, Boise State University; Yuguang Ban, Boise State University; Alison Ahlgren, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Cheryl Schrader, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

Sample Size Pass Rate Sample Size Pass Rate IncreaseGroup I 302 59.7% 274 61.4% 1.7% 4%Group III 65 57.1% 80 64.6% 7.5% 17%In summary, it appears that the addition of the ALEKS assessment as a course requirement has apositive impact on the pass rates of students in both PreCalculus and Calculus. Year-over-yearimpacts are less pronounced than historical averages compared to the ALEKS semester. Thismay reflect other ongoing efforts to improve performance in these two courses at Boise StateUniversity, as suggested by the positive trends in overall pass rates prior to fall 2008.Math Instructor SurveyA survey of mathematics

Conference Session

Bridging the Gap and Freshman Programs

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Seung Youn Chyung, Boise State University; Janet Callahan, Boise State University; Doug Bullock, Boise State University; Kendra Bridges, Boise State University; Joanna Guild, Boise State University; Cheryl Schrader, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

classroom and to tailor their instructional strategies toward the individual students with different needs. For example, random students who are studying a subject that demands sequential thinking such as Math may need more attention from the instructors.2. Have students be aware of their dominant learning styles and motivational characteristics. It can help them self-monitor their learning behaviors and give them opportunities to self- correct ineffective study habits, and develop more effective learning behaviors.3. Have instructors be aware of their own dominant learning styles and reflect on their preferred approaches for teaching their subjects. Instructors also have their dominant learning styles which are often their preferred

Conference Session

Mathematics: Recruitment and Retention

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Georgiopoulos, University of Central Florida; Cynthia Young, University of Central Florida; Cherie Geiger, University of Central Florida; Scott Hagen, University of Central Florida; Chris Parkinson, University of Central Florida; Alison Morrison-Shetlar, University of Central Florida; Tace Crouse, University of Central Florida; Paula Krist, University of Central Florida; Pat Lancey, University of Central Florida; Melissa Dagley-Falls, University of Central Florida; Pat Ramsey, University of Central Florida; Dahlia Forde, University of Central Florida; Anna Koufakou, University of Central Florida

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

, Institutionalization and Outreach, and Social Activities) meet asfrequently as needed. The name of a committee reflects the responsibilities assigned to each oneof the committees.The EXCEL program has two Directors (Dr. Georgiopoulos from the School of ElectricalEngineering and Computer Science, and Dr. Young from the Department of Mathematics).Furthermore, the EXCEL program has four program Coordinators: Dr. Hagen fromCivil/Environmental Engineering, Dr. Geiger from Chemistry Department, Dr. Islas from theMath Department, and Dr Parkinson from the Department of Biology. The Directors of the Page 14.985.9EXCEL program supervise and coordinate all of the