Conference Session

Computers and Software in Teaching Mathmatics

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cheri Shakiban, University of St. Thomas; Michael P. Hennessey, University of St. Thomas

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

“line groups,” that visually correspond to what are commonly known as frieze patterns.Translations, half-turns, vertical reflections, horizontal reflections, vertical & horizontalreflections, glide reflections, and vertical reflections & glide reflections with half-turns constitutea practical visual manner in which to identify them (Table 7). Throughout our travels in Peru,students were on the lookout for examples of all 7 types. Table 7 Frieze patterns and their categorization Basic visual coding of all 7 types of frieze patterns using letters of the alphabet. Eight different Incan frieze patterns (top

Conference Session

Issues and Answers in Mathematics Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter J. Sherman, Iowa State University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

ideasmight contribute to improved motivation, one must still acknowledge that there are other largerreasons for the continuing decline of STEM education in the USA.Having taught university-level undergraduate and graduate courses in a wide variety of STEMtopics for over 30 years, this author has observed an equally disturbing decline in the relativeperformance of U.S. students in relation to students from other countries. This observation isoften reflected in the consistent and continued „dumbing down‟ of course concepts,acknowledged by many academics who have taught in STEM disciplines for any length of time.In view of this continued decline of competency among U.S. university graduates, it is notsurprising that more and more companies are looking

Conference Session

Students' Abilities and Attitudes

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kendrick T. Aung, Lamar University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

. Based on these results, it may be concluded that the majority ofstudents believes the course materials are suitable and the course is valuable for theirgraduate studies. There is a drop in rating in 2009 but there are no significant differences Page 22.1371.8in the course content as well as how the course is conducted so there is no simpleexplanation to the rating differences.Lesson 3: It is imperative for the instructor to balance mathematical knowledge andapplication of mathematics in all aspects of the course delivery.Lesson 4: The tests and exams should reflect the importance of mathematical knowledgeand application of the knowledge in

Conference Session

Engineering Mathematical Potpourri

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jean Hodges, Virginia Commonwealth University, Qatar

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

key article in this work was Janet Emig‟s “Writingas a Mode of Learning,” that claimed “writing is neurophysiologically integrative, connective,active, and available for immediate visual review,” 5 characteristics that make it an effectivelearning tool. The work of writing researchers James Britton and his colleagues stressed the Page 22.86.4distinct power of writing to help the writer organize and express experience. They explained thatto express an experience, the writer first must capture it, investigate it, and then reflect uponhis/her ideas about it. This process was found to enhance students‟ learning6. This findingreiterates

Conference Session

Integrating Math Science and Engineering

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Po-Hung Liu, National Chin-Yi University of Technology; Ching Ching Lin, National Taipei University of Technology; Tung-Shyan Chen, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Fundamental General Education Center; Chiu-Hsiung Liao, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Fundamental General Education Center; Yen Tung Chung, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Fundamental General Education Center; C. Lin, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taiwan R.O.C.; Ruey-Maw Chen, National Chin-Yi University of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

by deleting several topics, such as Roll’ s Theorem and Riemann sumdefinition of integral, and integrated technology into the curriculum instead. They claimedthat certain topics contained in traditional textbooks are only to fool students into the beliefthat they have learned something[3]. Among all reform curricula, Harvard CalculusConsortium[6][7] is the most widely adopted text and has received the greatest attention.Harvard Calculus Consortium reflected the reformed idea of “ The Rule of Three”declaringthat every topic should be presented in geometrical, numerical, and algebraic ways.Furthermore, it de-emphasized deductive symbolic reasoning by decreasing some sections

Conference Session

Issues and Answers in Mathematics Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amelito G. Enriquez, Canada College

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

-minoritystudents. This higher rate of participation among minority students and the success of MathJam in enhancing their academic performance are reflected in the increase in enrollment intransfer-level courses since the program was initiated. Although enrollments in STEMtransfer-level courses have increased for all student groups and for all STEM areas, the rates ofincrease are significantly higher among minority students, especially for engineering,mathematics, and physics where minority student enrollment has traditionally been lower dueto inadequate high school preparation in math.The success of Math Jam has prompted Cañada College to institutionalize the program.Beyond the duration of the three-year Minority Science and Engineering Improvement

Conference Session

Students' Abilities and Attitudes

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John R. Reisel, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee; Leah Rineck; Marissa Jablonski, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Ethan V Munson, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; Hossein Hosseini, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) under Award No.0757055. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in thismaterial are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National ScienceFoundation. The authors would also like to thank Todd Johnson, Tina Current, George Hanson,and Edward Beimborn (all at UWM) for their assistance with this project.Bibliography1. National Science Board. 2003. The Science and Engineering Workforce: Realizing America’s Potential.Publication NSB 03-69. (www.nsf.gov/nsb/documents/2003/nsb0369/nsb0369.pdf)2. Augustine, N. “Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a BrighterEconomic Future”, Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public

Conference Session

Students' Abilities and Attitudes

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kristi J Shryock, Texas A&M University; arun r srinivasa, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University; Jefferey E. Froyd, Texas A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

theirspecific expectations for student mathematical knowledge and skills.After receiving sample problems from five faculty members, the questions were analyzed todevelop a set of learning outcomes that would reflect the knowledge and skills required to solvethe problems. There was significant overlap among the problems, with respect to the knowledgeand skills expected. The resulting set of mathematics topics for which engineering facultymembers expected student mastery are listed in Table 1. Table 1. First-year Mathematics Topics Determined by Engineering Faculty Members Projection Vector Components (2-D) Derivative (using Chain Rule) Second Derivative