Mste 114/Math 114 Spring 2004

MSTE 114/MATH 114 SPRING 2004

Instructor Dr. Carol Freeman Class MSTE 114 Skalny 225 MATH 114 Office Science A 104 Class Times M W 2:30 – 3:50 Phone Office: 385-8132 Office Hours Monday 1:00 – 2:15 Tuesday 10:30 – 12:00 Wednesday 1:00 – 2:15 other times by appointment

Email [email protected]

What is Mathematical Explorations I ?

This course develops the student's understanding of the fundamental mathematical concepts underlying numeration and probability. Course instruction and material will conform to the NCTM Standards and therefore will present mathematics in the context of problem solving, communication (both written and oral), reasoning, including direct and indirect proofs, and mathematical connections. Students gain an understanding of the mathematical concepts by studying patterns and making generalizations.

Topics will include: numeration systems, along with analyses of bases other than base 10, the four basic operations and the development of their associated algorithms, basic number theory concepts including divisibility, prime/composite numbers and field axioms, the extension of the integers and rational numbers to the real number system, set theoretical concepts, and mathematical modeling. Basic probability and statistical concepts along with data collection and analysis will be introduced and then developed and extended in the subsequent course. Likewise, the concepts of patterns and functions will be studied with a view toward further study and development in the subsequent course.

Course Objectives

1. Students will learn to explore mathematical concepts through graphs, tables, verbal descriptions and formulas. 2. Students will gain experience in reading and writing about mathematics. 3. Students will work in groups both in class and out of class. 4. Students will be exposed to a variety of applications of mathematics. 5. Students will gain familiarity with the concepts of the NCTM standards, as well as some historical background regarding recent changes in educational philosophy. 6. Students will complete several out of class projects. 7. Students will develop and utilize a variety of strategies for problem solving, among them: a. guess and check; b. solve a simpler problem; c. visual aids; d. algebra; and e. working backwards. 8. Students will explore the mathematical concepts and theories underlying these topics: a. numeration and different number systems; b. operations on the integers, rational and irrational numbers; c. prime/composite tests, divisibility and modular arithmetic; d. variables, patterns, iteration. Course Requirements : Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 in text  Textbook: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers via Problem Solving by Joanna Masingila and Frank Lester. This text has two volumes, one with the above title and one with the subtitle Student Resource Manual, both are required for the course. You cannot have a used book that has writing in it.

 Email: Email accounts are available through the college for free. You must have one.

Goals of This Course Strand How this will be achieved Problem Solving Students learn the mathematical concepts in context and by working on explorations in groups The entire course is delivered through problem-solving explorations. Communication Students use Blackboard and also must provide written explanations to their answers. Students must continually answer the questions WHY. They work in groups during each class. Representation Students study concepts through multiple representations. Technology Blackboard will be used. Inspiration software will be used for concept mapping. Connections During this course, students gain familiarity with the NCTM standards by actually living through them as students. The instructors for these mathematics courses have had many years experience with the NCTM standards and have a thorough knowledge of them. They model the standards in these courses. The NCTM Reasoning Students gain experience justifying conjectures with informal, but valid arguments. Students must explain the WHY behind their answers throughout the entire course. They learn to reason mathematically by being doing many explorations that require their own reasoning. Community Discussion boards and email

Assessment Tools Tool Description Regular Students work on problems in groups and individually. homework Discussion board Each student will be responsible for posting class information to Blackboard for the postings benefit of all students and to ensure accuracy; responsibility for these postings will rotate throughout the semester Project( s) and Project(s) will be required. presentation

In Class The instructor will occasionally collect work done in class and will make observations Activities of students as they complete tasks. In-class Students have in-class individual assessment on the concepts. assessments— there may be The instructor may have group assessments also before the in-class assessments to group help with student understanding of concepts. assessments also Final Exam Individual comprehensive assessment during final exam week. Assessments and Grading

Assessment 1- individual 100 Assessment 2--- 100 Individual Final Assessment- Individual 200 Project(s) 100 Daily Work: including 100 Individual or 100 quizzes, homework, Group assessment readings/reflections # 3

Total 700

Grades: A and A - : above 93 for an A, 90- 92 for an A- B+, B, and B -: from 80 – 89, above 88 for a B+, above 83 for a B C+, C, and C- : from 70 – 79, above 78 for a C+, above 73 for a C D+, D, and C-: from 60 – 69, above 68 for a D+, above 63 for a D Below 60, grade of F

General Guidelines for Written Work

All work that is turned in to me should follow these guidelines. The work should be on only one side of the paper. There should be no ragged edges (i.e. don't rip it out of a spiral notebook and hand it in.) Your name, the date of the assignment, the title of the assignment (and sections from the book, if relevant) should all be included on the upper right hand corner of the first page. For multiple page assignments, each following page should have your name in the upper right hand corner and the entire assignment should be stapled together (no dog-ears please.) It may also be a good idea to put ``Dr. Carol Freeman'' and the course title on the upper left hand of the front page (that way, if it gets dropped, it will be returned to the right place.)

Timeline for Handing in Work

A grade of 0 will be given if work is handed in past the due date.

Individual Assessments

There will be at least two individual assessments during the semester. They will be held in the classroom. Format of the assessments may vary.

Final Exam

The final exam will be held during exam week. This will be individual. Daily Work: Quizzes, Homework, Assignments

 Quizzes: There may be short announced or unannounced quizzes. The quiz will cover material previously covered in class and homework assignments. If you are absent on the day the quiz is given, it cannot be made up. A grade of 0 is entered.

 You will be given the answers the day the homework is due if you have at least tried all the problems.

 Assignments may also be given out. Directions will be attached to assignment.

Writing Assignments

Occasionally, I will ask you to write a one- page essay to hand in the next day. For example, your homework on this first day of class is to write a brief essay responding to the question ``What is Mathematics?''. These essays will be graded on both content and grammar. These essays must be typed, with a maximum of one-and-one-half spacing (not double spaced.) Use one (1) inch margins and a 12 -point font.

Attendance

It is up utmost importance that you attend each class. If for some reason you must miss class, your friends in class will miss your input on the day's activities and your grade will miss your input (in the form of your daily work). For my purposes, there really is no such thing as an ``excused absence.'' If you must miss class, talk to me first. I have the right to lower your final grade at least one whole level for each class you miss.

A Note about Cheating and Plagiarism

While I do hope that the subject never comes up, if cheating or plagiarism becomes a problem, I will follow the college procedures that are laid out in the Student Handbook for the college.

Disclaimers

 Please be aware that any work you complete for this course may be photocopied and kept on file for the benefit of future students.

In compliance with St. John Fisher college policy and applicable laws, appropriate academic accommodations are available to you if you are a student with a disability. All requests for accommodations must be supported by appropriate documentation/diagnosis and determined reasonable by St. John Fisher College. Students with documented disabilities (physical, learning and psychological) who may need academic accommodations are advised to make an appointment with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disability in the Student development Center. Late notification will delay requested accommodations. | Home |