American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges Serving the professional needs of two-year college mathematics educators
Volume 20, Number 3 May 2005 NNeewwss ISSN 0889-3845
Annual AMATYC Conference in San Diego oin your colleagues November 10–13, 2005, in San Diego, CA, for the 31st Annual AMATYC Conference. This year’s theme, Catch the Wave, will capture your imagina- tionJ as you participate in professional development opportunities designed with your students’ success in mind. Ride the wave of learning from your colleagues, build profes- sional relationships, and refresh yourself professionally. You can examine the latest textbooks and explore exciting new technology brought to you by our exhibitors. Featured presentations will include: The Mathematics of Juggling Ronald Graham, the Irwin and Joan Jacobs Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of UCSD and Chief Scientist at California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology, Cal-IT2, of UC San Diego, will be the Opening Session keynote speaker on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Ron is a well-known, accom- plished mathematician. He is Past President of the Mathematical Association of America and was a long-time friend of Paul Erdös. He was Chief Scientist at AT&T Labs for many years and speaks fluent Chinese. Graham’s number was in the Guiness Book of Records as the “largest number,” and is inexpressible in ordinary notation and needs special notation devised by Don Knuth in 1976. An ex-president of the International Jugglers Associa- tion, Graham will highlight some of the new ways to describe juggling patterns that have led to previously un- known patterns and many new mathematical theorems on Friday evening. Using Mathematics to Understand What Bees Are Buzzing About On Saturday morning, breakfast keynote speaker, Millie Johnson, will share her entertaining and educational knowledge of the communication system used by honey bees that allows them to recall colors, shapes and odors, and to navigate with precision. Johnson is Associate Professor of Mathematics at Western Washington Univ in Bellingham, WA, and has consulted on a wide range of mathematical applications including DNA testing, minimal surfaces, septic tank design, and river flow management. She believes in challenging students’ intellect rather than their memory. Calculating Animals Renowned author, professional mathematician, and “the Math Guy” on NPR’s popular magazine program Week- end Edition, Keith Devlin, will discuss mathematical abilities found in the animal kingdom in a plenary session at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. Whether you have heard Devlin’s Weekend Edition discussions or not, you are sure to enjoy and find useful the details of calcu- Inside This Issue lating animals! The Cycloid: Helen of Geometry 2 President’s Corner Professor of Mathematics at Santa Rosa JC and grower of Pythagorean trees, 3 Beyond Crossroads John Martin, will share at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday the beautiful properties of 4 Biotech Materials the cycloid and he will tell us the intriguing reason it has been called the Helen of geometry. He will also link the cycloid with the development of 5 More Conference Info calculus. Martin will do an encore presentation at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday. 6-7 Committee Reports Thursday will be a very full day packed with conference activities including 7 Calendar themed sessions, the opening session, Exhibits Grand Opening, and forums on 8-9 News from Coast to Coast issues important to AMATYC and to the profession. Plan to arrive Wednesday 10 Window on Washington evening to take full advantage of scheduled events. See you in San Diego! 12 Dates to Remember President’s Message
Don Small, Military Academy at West Point, a long-time advocate for change in college algebra, summed up his call for Judy E. Ackerman change by saying Montgomery College In the final analysis, curricula Rockville, MD and syllabi are local in nature, as is the means for implementing change. Thus, the task of everyone involved with College hat are the issues that concern two-year mathematics faculty? Are Algebra is to engage colleagues, some of the following on your list: student success in remedial administrators, and local busi- mathematics,W dual enrollment, distance education, teacher preparation, ness people to improve the role articulation and alignment of curriculum, quantitative literacy, statistics of College Algebra in our educa- reform, college algebra reform, intermediate algebra reform, adjunct tional system and in the effec- faculty, new faculty, or professional development opportunities? Through tiveness of the present pro- AMATYC special projects and committees, AMATYC members have the grams.1 opportunity to discuss these topics, put forward AMATYC position state- ments, and propose grants. Consider this a call for your ideas on Currently there is much discussion in the college mathematics com- how AMATYC might engage you and munity about rethinking, reforming, and improving college algebra your colleagues to improve college courses. This is in algebra. What information part a result of the At one time college algebra was one of the courses and support do you need shift in the educa- students took in order to prepare to take calculus. to effect change in your tional goals of the Today most students enrolled in a college algebra classroom and at your students enrolled in course are not planning to take calculus. college? these courses. At one 1 Don Small. An Urgent Call to Improve time college algebra was one of the courses students took in order to Traditional College Algebra Programs. MAA prepare to take calculus. Today most students enrolled in a college Online, March 4, 2005. http://maa.org/ algebra course are not planning to take calculus. Instead they are meeting t%5Fand%5Fl/urgent%5Fcall.html a graduation requirement established either by their college or by state regulation. In some states, such as Maryland, COMAR, the Code of The AMATYC News is the official Maryland Regulations, states that students need “one course in mathemat- newsletter of the American Mathematical ics at or above the level of college algebra.” This means that there are a Association of Two-Year Colleges and is number of diverse courses that may be used to meet the collegiate general published five times per year in January, March, May, August, and October. Your articles, education mathematics requirement. It is left up to individual colleges to announcements, comments, and letters to the determine which mathematics courses to offer and to see that they are Editor are welcome. Submit all materials by taught at the intended level. Unfortunately in some states the requirement December 1, February 1, April 1, June 1, and is a college algebra course. September 1 for the respective issues. The spring 2003 issue of The AMATYC Review included a concentra- Address changes should be sent to: tion of articles on alternatives for college algebra. The alternatives AMATYC Office presented in that issue were reform through interdisciplinary applications, Southwest Tennessee Community College a course designed around applications to biology, adapting the calculus 5983 Macon Cove workshop model to college algebra, and incorporating modeling into the Memphis, TN 38134 901.333.4643 course to provide a context for algebraic methods. Each of the alterna- Fax 901.333.4651 tives described were for courses that were taught at four-year colleges. [email protected] The changes are in both content and pedagogy. All other correspondence should be There clearly are reasons why college algebra courses are problematic directed to: and ripe for change. What is less clear is how big a problem this is at Jean Woody two-year colleges. Is college algebra a universal issue at two-year and AMATYC News Editor four-year colleges? Are the issues related to college algebra different at Tulsa CC two-year colleges than at four-year colleges? What is hindering change in 10300 E. 81st St. college algebra at two-year colleges? Are potential problems with transfer- Tulsa, OK 74133 ability the obstacle to change at two-year colleges? Would you agree with 918.595.7690 Fax 918.595.7621 those who say that the parallel issue at two-year colleges is the nature of [email protected] the intermediate algebra course? May 2005 2 www.amatyc.org Beyond Crossroads Adopts Logo! AMATYC Committees Active and Welcoming
MATYC has eight committees you can join: A• Distance Learning eyond Crossroads now has a logo, seen here. The five “roads” repre- • Equal Opportunity in Mathematics sent the five new implementation standards relating to learning and • Faculty Development Bthe learning environment, instructional strategies, program and curriculum • Foundation/Developmental development, assessment, and professionalism. The cube located at the Mathematics crossroads reminds us that Beyond Crossroads builds upon Crossroads in • Placement and Assessment Mathematics: Standards for Introductory College Mathematics Before • Program/Curriculum Issues Calculus (AMATYC, 1995). Quoting from the 1995 Crossroads, “The cube • Technical Mathematics/AAS situated at the intersection represents the three dimensions of the stan- Programs dards—intellectual development, content, and pedagogy—that are intended to • Technology in Mathematics guide mathematics faculty along the way to reform.” The road beyond the Education cube is the road leading to student success, achieved through putting into practice the standards in Beyond Crossroads. With its new implementation Committees are active throughout standards, Beyond Crossroads will provide recommendations and action the year working for you and meet at items to strengthen the teaching and learning of mathematics at the intro- each conference. Whatever your ductory college level. interest in mathematics education in The Writing Team is using the valuable input from AMATYC members the first two years of college, you through an online questionnaire, conference attendees and AMATYC should be able to find an appropriate Committees at the 2004 AMATYC Annual Conference in Orlando, Associa- AMATYC committee working on it. tion Review Groups, and special reviewers to prepare the close-to-final Most have websites that you can visit to document to be distributed at the 2005 AMATYC Annual Conference in San get more information on their Diego. Stay tuned for the latest updates! activities. These websites are listed with the committees on the AMATYC website. To join or get involved with a Dues Increase Takes Effect committee, contact the chair or attend the committee meetings at the July 1, 2005 conference—AMATYC members are Act Now to Save! always welcomed by all AMATYC committees. Active committee he delegate assembly approved the dues increase shown below as members are often recognized for their necessary for the continuing health of the organization. You can post- leadership potential and become Tpone the effect by selecting any of the appropriate categories prior to July 1. further involved in AMATYC. Notably, AMATYC will honor membership renewals of any category regard- less of your current membership expiration date. Your membership expira- tion date will be advanced by the appropriate renewal period. The AMATYC Category Through June 30 Beginning July 1 Review Regular Membership–1 year $60 $75 The AMATYC Review invites manuscripts Regular Membership–2 years $115 $145 and reviewers. Author Guidelines and Regular Membership–3 years $170 $210 Reviewer Surveys may be obtained from Lifetime Regular Membership $1200 $1500 the editor, Barbara Rives, Lamar State Adjunct Membership–1 year $30 $37.50 College-Orange, 410 Front St., Orange, Retired Membership–1 year $30 $37.50 TX 77630. Author Guidelines may also Institutional Membership–1 year $300 $435 be found at www.amatyc.org/Publications/ Review. www.amatyc.org 3 May 2005 MATHEDCC Biotechnology Materials Addresses Released Important Issues collection of problems showing how technicians in biotechnology use mathematics has been released and Moderated by Wayne Mackey, University of Arkansas, Ais now available on the web at www.waketech.edu/~rlkimbal/ Fayetteville, MATHEDCC is where mathematics faculty turn CRAFTY/CD/BiotechMaterials.pdf. The 60 separate problem to discuss important issues with their colleagues. Among recent email discussions were ADA accessible graphing scenarios provide insight into the mathematics skills techni- calculators, number theory, and a request for recommenda- cians use daily and can provide two-year college faculty with tions for developmental mathematics workshops. direction for evaluating the appropriate content in mathemat- The following was written in response to an inquiry on ics courses that equip students for partner disciplines. MATHEDCC asking how mathematics faculty should These materials were developed as a result of a joint respond to the perceived lowering of expectations in venture between faculty and industry professionals in fields college algebra and increasing failure rate in calculus. It related to biotechnology and two-year college mathematics also mirrors some of the ideas noted by President faculty. The work was part of a supplemental grant from the Ackerman in the President’s Message (page 2). We are National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded to AMATYC for printing an edited copy of the email with the permission of the project “Technical Mathematics for Tomorrow: Recommen- the author. dations and Exemplary Programs.” Project recommendations ’m writing as a person who teaches mostly for the original phase were contained in the publication A developmental/remedial courses. There is a Vision: Mathematics for the Emerging Technologies. Each significantI question. Should our goal for all stu- member of AMATYC received a copy of the Vision. Among the dents be Calculus? Why do we worry about what is recommendations in the Vision was a reform in mathematics happening? I think it is intuitively obvious that texts. mathematics has given up on teaching mathematics. Participants who helped develop the Vision document felt Until we decide that knowing and doing mathemat- that textbooks should include writing assignments, projects, ics is indeed culturally important as say reading or technology-based activities, a sufficient amount of skill-and- writing or voting or watching good basketball or drill exercises, useful web materials, and information relevant believing in only one conception of religion, then to the technologies represented in their mathematics courses. maybe we can really have a useful discussion. Also I They also felt that some materials should include too much would refer you to the CUPM of MAA recently- information and others should omit some relevant informa- released discussion on curriculum changes. tion and force students to find the missing information. I believe mathematics is that important; unfortu- The materials the participants described are, for the most nately, I do not believe society thinks so, nor does part, not available in areas of emerging technologies. The government or religion or most other people. We additional funding from NSF was used to create these types of have not made a real case. We simply have bought materials for the biotechnology area. The problem scenarios into the notion of hiding all the mathematics that were created for use in the classroom and reflect the math- runs our world and have been buying our mathemat- ematics needed in biotechnology. ics ability from abroad. And those countries are now The effort to develop the biotechnology materials involved deciding not to send their best and brightest to us. nine biotechnologists and three mathematicians. Each HMMMM, and we worry about low paying jobs biotech person developed about 14 problems. Using Bloom’s being sent overseas. I worry about who will be able Taxonomy, each problem was classified at one of Bloom’s six to work when and if I ever retire. levels. Each person originally developed at least one problem Passionate and skeptical, yet a romantic at heart, in each level. A 2½ day workshop was held at Wake Technical Vernon M. Kays, St. Louis CC at Meramec CC, May 16–18, 2004. At this workshop, the biotechnologists interacted with several two-year college mathematics faculty. The purpose of the workshop was to refine the work of each person and make sure that the content was sound, from both a biological and mathematical view, and that the problems To subscribe to MATHEDCC, send the message: were appropriate for the two-year curriculum. At the work- SUBSCRIBE MATHEDCC shop, several of the problems were merged in order to reduce to: [email protected] duplication. Also, many of the answers were rewritten to make
ASA/AMATYC students, and getting the students each class? Email ASA/AMATYC started. This time was not required for [email protected] to share Joint Committee the traditional course. Both the tradi- your experiences. by Brian Smith tional and online course required time Reference: spent in revising the syllabus. The ASA/AMATYC Joint Committee Connaught, J. (2005, Spring). Teaching The time spent teaching was on Statistics will be sponsoring a Online – A Time Comparison. Online considered time spent communicating Themed Session on Activities and Journal of Distance Learning Adminis- with students online and the time spent Projects in Statistics at the AMATYC tration, 8(1). Retrieved March 14, 2005, during the scheduled meeting times for Annual Conference in San Diego. This from www.westga.edu/%7Edistance/ the traditional course. The instructor promises to be an interesting and ojdla/spring81/cavanaugh81.htm practical session and it is anticipated spent the most time communicating that participants will go home with with his online students through email practical ideas for implementation in (between 300 and 600 per quarter with Faculty Development their classrooms. The session will be 15 students), telephone conversations, Committee followed by a panel discussion that will discussion groups, and chatrooms. by Ernie Danforth allow participants to discuss their own The instructor held regular office hours. More online students visited his San Diego marks the return of the ideas and experiences with statistics Department/Division Chairs’ Collo- projects and activities. Committee Chair office than students enrolled in his traditional class. The online students quium. Plan to rejoin us. Plan, too, to Brian Smith will be attending the United attend our themed session on items of States Conference on Teaching Statis- usually required more help than the traditional students, few of whom would importance to administrators. tics (USCOTS) at The Ohio State Univ, Interested in what’s happening in Columbus, OH. Brian will also attend stop by for help during office hours. Time spent in the final task category mathematics internationally? Participate the Joint Statistical Meetings in Minne- via email in AMATYC’s first ANet, a apolis in August and will have much to involved miscellaneous duties performed at the end of the term. Both the online loosely organized group of like-minded report on at the committee meetings in individuals. For more information San Diego. Anyone interested in the and the traditional class had grades to be calculated. The instructor emailed contact Steve Krevisky at work of the committee can contact [email protected]. Plan to Brian at [email protected]. each online student thanking them for taking the course and reminding them meet in person in San Diego. to register for the next term. He also Part-time work is sometimes lonely. Distance Learning downloaded student evaluations from Adjuncts don’t always connect with their Committee his online students. departments and departments don’t by Nancy J. Sattler This study found that the amount always connect with adjuncts. Encour- of time spent teaching an online course age adjuncts to save their pennies (and Are you thinking of converting one nickels and dimes) to visit with the of your courses to an online course? increased directly with the number of students enrolled and was, per student, adjunct group in San Diego. Maybe you Did you ever wonder how teaching an can help them secure faculty develop- online course compares with teaching a six times larger than the time spent teaching a traditional course. The ment funds to make their presence a traditional one? The Online Journal of reality! Discussion is free-flowing over Distance Learning Administration in its major difference in the time spent between the two modalities was in topics of importance to, and concerning spring 2005 issue addresses this part-timers. question. A professor at Wright State communicating with the student. Univ compared two courses, one online Various studies have shown that and one in-class, and found that student interaction leads to student Placement and additional time was required to teach success in the class. Assessment Committee online due to increased student contact While the time commitment may be by Ed Gallo and individualized instruction. When greater for an online course, there are many advantages for teaching online. It The Placement and Assessment comparing his courses, he examined Committee (PAC) sent out its latest four categories: Course Preparation provides flexibility for both the teacher and the student; discrimination and newsletter in February. If you would like Time, Time Spent Teaching, Office a copy, please contact Jim Ham Hours, and Final Tasks. prejudice are minimized; and it pro- motes critical thinking skills, deep ([email protected]), our website coordi- The course preparation time nator and newsletter editor. included start-up time for each class, for learning, collaborative learning, and problem-solving skills. In addition, if you are interested in each term before the class began. He becoming a member of the PAC, just found that the course preparation time What are your experiences? Are you teaching a class as both an online send an email to Jim Ham and he will was significantly longer for the online add you to our membership list. course due to updating the online and a traditional one? Have you portion of the course, contacting compared the time commitment for May 2005 6 www.amatyc.org Committee Reports
If you have a short article or other item on math placement or assessment AMATYC Calendar of Events that you think would be of interest to all Check the AMATYC website, www.amatyc.org, for information on of the PAC membership, please send it conferences and meetings from other organizations. to me ([email protected]) and I will make sure that it gets into our next September 9-10, 2005 FTYCMA Fall Retreat, April 7, 2006 NEBMATYC Annual Meeting, Central Florida CC, Gainesville, FL. Contact: North Platte, NE. Contact: Connie Buller, newsletter. Michael Jamieson, [email protected] [email protected] You can find out more about the September 23-24, 2005 MichMATYC Annual November 2-5, 2006 32nd Annual AMATYC PAC and its three subcommittees Meeting, Kirtland CC. Contact: Doug Mace, Conference, Cincinnati, OH. Contact: (Assessment of Student Performance, [email protected] AMATYC Office, 901.333.4643, [email protected] Assessment of Mathematical Programs, September 24, 2005 LaMsMATYC Annual and Placement) by going to Meeting, Hinds CC, Raymond, MS. Contact: November 15-18, 2007 33rd Annual AMATYC www.amatyc.org, then committees, then Kathleen Lopez, [email protected] Conference, New Orleans, LA. Contact: AMATYC Office, 901.333.4643, placement and assessment, and then September 24, 2005 OKMATYC Fall Meeting, [email protected] PAC webpage. Redlands CC, El Reno, OK. Contact: Brena Bellovich, [email protected] November 20-23, 2008 34th Annual AMATYC Conference, Washington, D.C. Contact: October 7, 2005 ArizMATYC Meeting, Pima AMATYC Office, 901.333.4643, Technology in CC, Tucson, AZ. Contact: Dan Russow, [email protected] Mathematics Education [email protected] Committee November 10-13, 2005 31st Annual AMATYC by David J. Graser Conference, San Diego, CA. Contact: AMATYC Office, 901.333.4643, In the middle of a typical semester, I [email protected] begin to have conflicting thoughts about what is working in my classes and what is not. By the end of the semester, I Call for Nominations begin to act on these thoughts and MATYC seeks nominations for its 2006 Mathematics Excellence prepare for the next semester. Most of Award, which recognizes educators who have made outstanding con- you are probably doing the exact same Atributions to mathematics or mathematics education at the two-year college. thing. It may seem like a huge task right Award criteria are national reputation, leadership and activities in profes- now, but take advantage of technology! sional organizations, professional talks and presentations, awards and grants Why not take advantage of research that others have already done and received, publications, professional activities on a regional, state, and na- utilize it in your class? tional scale, teaching expertise, and other contributions to mathematics During the semester, I rely upon and/or mathematics education. research from a variety of Internet A nomination consists of a resume, not to exceed three pages, and three websites. I use search engines like letters in support of the nomination, including the letter of nomination. Google or Yahoo with carefully chosen Submittals are sent to the Mathematics Excellence Award Committee Chair. keyword searches. For instance, I Nominations must be received by the committee chair recently searched for ideas using the by November 1, 2005. search phrase “mathematics writing For more information visit www.amatyc.org/awards/, or contact: projects.” This returned several thou- Philip Mahler, Chair sand hits including many mathematics ME Award Committee course descriptions where writing Middlesex Community College projects are used. These were not very 591 Springs Road useful, but a website with several Bedford, MA 01730-1197 calculus projects including grading 781.280.3861 rubrics helped me to develop a new [email protected] project. An often overlooked source of information is your college’s electronic library resources. My college subscribes Future AMATYC Conferences to a number of searchable electronic 2005 San Diego November 10-13 databases. Using these databases I can 2006 Cincinnati November 2-5 search for journal articles in a huge number of periodicals in the sciences, 2007 New Orleans November 15-18 Continued on page 10 2008 Washington, D.C. November 20-23 www.amatyc.org 7 May 2005 News from Coast to Coast
Arizona odd numbered years to a FTYCMA Marvin Johnson’s humor and history The spring ArizMATYC conference member who has provided outstanding presentation. Leadership for the was held at Chandler-Gilbert CC on service to the organization. upcoming year is president, Gail Bur- February 25, 2005. The conference was gess, South Central Technical College; followed on February 26 with an Kentucky past-president, Keven Dockter, Inver The Kentucky Mathematical AMATYC traveling workshop concern- Hills CC; secretary, Ken Grace, Anoka Association of Two-Year Colleges ing mathematics for elementary educa- Ramsey CC; and treasurer, Barb (KYMATYC) held its thirty-first annual tion courses. Schewe, Anoka Ramsey CC. Century conference March 4-5, 2005, at Shaker The membership drive over the past College was the state winner of the Village of Pleasant Hill, KY. Participants year has been highly successful. Student Math League with a score of were updated on the progress of ArizMATYC is well on its way to dou- 246 while David Buchs, Rochester ongoing revisions of Kentucky commu- bling its membership from what it was CTC, was the top scorer with a 73.5 nity college mathematics curricula. The one year ago. To thank and acknowl- followed closely by Bruce Haupt and keynote speaker, John Hornsby of the edge our new members, their sponsors, Daniel Blees from Century College with Univ of New Orleans, used an eclectic and the membership at large, three scores of 73 and 71 respectively. array of scenes from movies and jump drives were awarded at the television shows to enhance his presen- ArizMATYC business meeting. One Missouri tation titled “Math Class Goes to The mathematics faculty of Ozarks went to a faculty member who encour- Hollywood.” Kathy Mowers, AMATYC Technical CC sponsored its 7th Annual aged strong membership at their college, President-Elect, was on hand to update Carnival of Math, “Math is A-MAZE-ing,” one was drawn from the general the group on the progress of the on Wednesday, April 13. Several hun- membership, and the third was given to Beyond Crossroads project. dred students enjoyed the activities of a member present at the business Gail Stringer, Somerset CC, is the day which included puzzles, games, meeting. The giveaways were well representing the two-year colleges in and a variety of floor mazes. Publishers accepted and perhaps a tradition was Kentucky on committees working on and area merchants provided prizes for born. aligning adult education and the core the event. California content for high school toward success in postsecondary mathematics endeav- New Jersey The Teachers Teaching with Tech- The MATYCNJ spring meeting was ors. Gail presented a brief overview of nology College Short Course Program held on April 9 at the Passaic County this work at the conference. short course “Developmental Algebra CC. Aditi Patel and Cyndee Geoffrey Caroline Martinson, Jefferson CC, Using a Function Approach” will be held presented a session entitled “Our Best and Jason Taylor are participating with in San Diego, CA, August 10-12, 2005, Practices in Teaching Developmental Murray State Univ faculty in an initiative at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon. Joe Math.” chaired a funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts to Ruth Feigenbaum Fiedler, California State Univ, roundtable discussion on groundwork develop a model online college algebra Bakerfield, will be the instructor. The for a position paper on Developmental course designed to be used by any registration deadline is August 1, 2005. Education in Mathematics. Other qualified faculty member to better serve For more information contact committee members include the general education needs of Harvey organizers Peg Hovde, , , postsecondary students in Kentucky. Cartine Ellen Freedman Arlene [email protected] or Terrie Graper, Elizabeth Polen, Sandra Teegarden, [email protected]. Maryland Silversberg, and Barbara Tozzi. Colorado Andy Bulleri is on sabbatical leave from Howard CC and is teaching at the North Carolina About sixty people attended the NCMATYC held its 15th annual ColoMATYC meeting on March 4th. Univ of Tartu in Tartu, Estonia. He is teaching a class in Derive™ Applica- conference March 10-11 at Durham Carol Kuper, Fort Morgan CC, was Technical CC. Participants came from elected president of ColoMATYC, and tions, but had to teach them Derive™ first. In addition to the class, Andy also 32 NC community colleges and 9 Art Terrazas from Aims CC was elected universities or non-NC schools. Martin president-elect. prepared a series of presentations that he hopes will encourage some of the Lancaster, president of the NC Com- Florida faculty to use technology in the class- munity College System, was the keynote FTYCMA awarded its 2005 Distin- room. speaker. One of the focuses of the guished Service Award to Cliff Morris of conference was the review of course Valencia CC at their February meeting Minnesota descriptions and the development of at Manatee CC. Cliff is a past president The 16th annual MinnMATYC joint course competencies for four courses in of FTYCMA and most recently served as conference with MCTM was held in the NC Common Course Library— Local Arrangements Chair for the 2004 Duluth, MN, on April 29-30, 2005. College Algebra, Pre-Calculus Algebra, AMATYC Conference in Orlando. The Highlights included talks by authors Technical Math I, and Mathematical Distinguished Service Award is given in Marv Bittinger and Tom Carson, and Models. The latest drafts of these May 2005 8 www.amatyc.org News from Coast to Coast documents can be found at VA CC. Her faculty sponsor is M. Jerry ncmatyc.com. Thornhill. EMINDER The theme of the VMATYC Spring R !! Ohio Conference was “Capitalizing on OhioMATYC along with Rhodes Mathematics.” Over 100 educators met Project ACCCESS is seeking State College and Texas Instruments in our capitol city, Richmond, to be applications for its second cohort. 3 sponsored a successful T (Teachers enlightened about “Math in the Dark For more information, please visit Teaching with Technology) Regional Ages” by the keynote speaker, John www.amatyc.org/projectacccess/. Conference on April 1-2, 2005. The Bergland, of VA Commonwealth Univ, Complete applications must be emphasis was on using technology to at the banquet on Friday, April 1. On received by July 1, 2005. enhance student learning in the class- Saturday, thirty breakout sessions were room. Mary Ann Hovis, Rodney Null, offered, including Beyond Crossroads by and many other faculty members at Susan Wood, AMATYC Past President, Rhodes State coordinated the confer- and an AMATYC Update roundtable UMMER ence. chaired by Mid-Atlantic VP Rob S OhioMATYC held its spring busi- Farinelli. Thank you to all the faculty of 3 ness meeting as part of the T Confer- J. Sargeant Reynolds CC who hosted the INSTITUTES ence. The Distinguished Service Award meeting, led by a steering committee was presented to Nancy Sattler from comprised of Ann Loving, Gwen Teacher Prep Summer Institute, Terra CC. The OhioMATYC Distin- Turbeville, and Randy Pittman, July 7–11, 2005, Grand Rapids, guished Service Award has been assisted by Kathryn Wallo as chair of MI. Contact: Jim Chesla, established to recognize professors who the Registration Committee and Gayle have made significant contributions to [email protected]. Registration Childers as chair of the Facilities deadline: June 1, 2005 mathematics education at the local, Committee. VMATYC would also like to state, and/or national levels. The award acknowledge the financial support of Mathematics Across the is given biannually. the VA Community College System Community College Curriculum Oklahoma which helps to fund our conference Summer Institute, August 9–12, OKMATYC held its business each year as a peer group meeting for 2005, Leavenworth, WA. meeting on Friday, March 4, in Okla- mathematics and computer science Contact: Deann Leoni, homa City, OK, and had a turnout of faculty. http://mac.edcc.edu or about 25 members. The officers for [email protected]. 2005-2007 are: president, Brena See Calendar on page 7 for specific Registration deadline: Bellovich, Tulsa CC-SE; president-elect, conference information. June 10, 2005 Linda Tucker, Rose State College; and Due to space limitations, not all news secretary/treasurer, Marcel Maupin, submitted may have been printed. OSU-OKC. Pennsylvania & ANNOUNCEMENT West Virginia The AMATYC A combined meeting of PSMATYC he ASA/AMATYC Joint Commit- Board and WVMATYC was held April 8-9 at tee is pleased to announce that announces the CC of Allegheny County. Judy Tthe proposal “Preparation of Two- appointment of Ackerman provided the keynote ad- Year College Mathematics Instructors Deepankar dress. Other sessions were conducted to Teach Statistics with GAISE” has by Javier Gomez-Calderon, Paul Rick Pal as been approved for funding in the Gogniat, Patty Florentine, Linda Publicity amount of $11,500. The grant will O’Connor, and Pauline Chow. Topics Director. Rick is a professor, the fund a regional workshop designed ranged from helping developmental coordinator of the Mathematics to prepare statistics instructors in two- mathematics students to using hyper- Laboratory, and director of TI year colleges to teach introductory bolic functions to predict tsunamis. Technologies at Valencia CC-West statistics following guidelines of the Campus in Orlando, FL. Rick will Virginia American Statistical Association be busy this year with press The Glenn Fox VMATYC Math- (ASA). The proposal was submitted releases for the Teaching ematics and Computer Science Scholar- to the Strategic Initiative 2005 pro- Excellence Awardees as well as new ship of $700 for the 2005-2006 aca- gram of the ASA by Brian Smith AMATYC Board members and demic year has been awarded to Brit- (McGill Univ) and Robert delMas committee chairs. tany Danielle Childress of Southside (Univ of Minnesota). www.amatyc.org 9 May 2005 Committee Reports, Window on Washington Continued from page 7 Judy E. Ackerman business and education. Many of these databases include the full text of the he need for improved science and mathematics education in the articles. If they don’t, I’ll search the United States continues to get considerable attention in Congress. Internet using the author’s name for their TRecently there has been a bipartisan effort to effect change through the personal website or other sources of the formation of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathemat- full text article. In most cases, an hour of ics) Education Caucus (www.stemedcaucus.org/). This effort is being led time searching the database will lead to 5 in the House by Congressman Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Congressman or 10 substantive articles I can read over Mark Udall (D-CO). In a Dear Colleague letter dated January 10, 2005, the summer. To broaden your professional they said that “The U.S. Department of Labor projects that new jobs horizons, try checking into your college’s requiring science, engineering, and technical training will increase four electronic resources for your summer times faster than the average national job growth rate. All workers—from reading list. office assistants to rocket scientists—will need a fundamental understand- ing of math, science, and engineering as well as technical know-how to succeed.” They pointed to the large number of students in the United States who are performing below basic levels in mathematics and science as well as how few U.S. high school graduates are going on for degrees in engineering and STEM majors. While they acknowledge that the solu- 2005 Elections— tion is not immediate, they hope that “the Caucus will become a re- spected voice for strengthening our math and science and technical Eligibility to Vote education system at every level from K-12 to graduate education.” The efforts in the Senate are being led by Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) ll individual and Richard Durbin (D-IL) who on February 2, 2005, sent a Dear Col- AMATYC league letter to their Senate colleagues. They indicated that “This Amembers as of bipartisan caucus of Senators will focus on STEM education issues and May 31 of an their role in the U.S. workforce, economy and national security …” election year AMATYC was represented in March at the Annual Conference of the compose the voting Triangle Coalition by President Judy Ackerman and President-Elect Kathy membership for the Mowers. The mission of the Triangle Coalition “is to bring together the AMATYC election. The following mem- voices of government, business, and education to improve the quality bership categories do not carry voting and outcome of mathematics, science, and technology education.” privileges: retired, adjunct, student, and Congressman Ehlers briefed attendees on STEM issues facing the 109th institutional. If you are the contact Congress. He asked us to urge our Congressional representatives to join person for your college’s institutional the House or Senate STEM caucus. Representatives from the Depart- membership, you must also hold a ment of Education and NSF discussed grants, projects, funding, and regular, individual membership to be proposals impacting K-12 education. Susan Sclafani, Assistant Secre- eligible to vote. tary, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, Department of Education, Questions regarding your member- addressed the Administration’s plans to improve education. ship status should be directed to the One of the sessions was called Lobbying—The Basics. It included AMATYC Office by email to information on effective ways to write and email policymakers along with [email protected] or by phone to tips for successful meetings with legislators. The handout included ten 901.333.4643. steps for composing persuasive letters and faxes based on material from the American Planning Association website. The steps include identify- ing yourself as a constituent, using the proper form of address, being brief and simple, stating your position, personalizing the message, being polite, avoiding exaggerations or lies, and being sure that the message is ot Funds? Do you have unused timely. professional development or travel If your representatives are not fundsG left in this fiscal year? Pre-pay part of a STEM caucus you might your San Diego conference registration! want to contact them and tell them Contact the AMATYC Office at why they too should be part of the 901.333.4643 or [email protected] for effort to improve STEM education. details. May 2005 10 www.amatyc.org AMATYC Executive Board Publications Barbara Rives John Peterson Review Editor Review Production Manager Robert Farinelli Lamar State College–Orange Chattanooga State Tech CC (retired) Mid-Atlantic Vice President 409.882.3366 865.531.7455 CC of Allegheny County [email protected] [email protected] 724.325.6628 [email protected] Tingxiu Wang Jean Woody Website Coordinator Newsletter Editor Judy E. Ackerman Rob Kimball Oakton CC Tulsa CC President Southeast Vice President 847.635.1751 918.595.7690 Montgomery College Wake Technical CC [email protected] [email protected] 301.279.5010 919.662.3602 [email protected] [email protected] Kate Danforth Rick Pal Editing Director Publicity Director Kathy Mowers Jim Roznowski Corning CC Valencia CC-West Campus President-Elect Midwest Vice President 607.962.9377 407.582.1307 Owensboro CTC Delta College [email protected] [email protected] 270.686.4564 989.686.9064 [email protected] [email protected] Philip H. Mahler Wanda Long Past President Central Vice President Middlesex CC St. Charles CC 781.280.3861 636.922.8343 [email protected] [email protected] Conference Tom Adamson Mary Robinson Peg Hovde Margie Hobbs Treasurer Southwest Vice President San Diego Conference Chair Conference Coordinator Phoenix College UNM-Valencia Campus Grossmont College University of Mississippi 602.285.7164 505.925.8622 619.644.7328 662.915.7387 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Irene Doo Christie Gilliland Secretary Northwest Vice President Wanda Garner Bob Malena Joliet Junior College Green River CC Program Coordinator Presider Chair 512.751.6668 253.833.9111 x4508 Cabrillo College CC of Allegheny County [email protected] [email protected] 831.479.6329 412.469.6228 [email protected] [email protected] Jack Keating Jan Ford Northeast Vice President West Vice President Pat Roux Jay Martin Massasoit CC Cuyamaca College Evaluation Chair and New Orleans Exhibits Chair 508.588.9100 x1930 619.660.4250 Local Events Coordinator Wake Technical CC [email protected] [email protected] Delgado CC 919.662.3446 504.483.4590 [email protected] [email protected] Gwen Turbeville Jan Hoeweler Advertising Chair Cincinnati Local Events Coordinator J. Sargeant Reynolds CC Cincinnati State TCC 804.786.6770 513.569.1714 [email protected] Committee Chairs [email protected] Brian Smith Ed Gallo ASA/AMATYC Joint Committee Placement and Assessment on Statistics Sinclair CC McGill Univ 937.512.2579 514.398.4038 [email protected] [email protected] Ruth Collins AMATYC Office Nancy J. Sattler Program/Curriculum Issues Southwest Tennessee Community College Distance Learning Delaware Technical & CC 5983 Macon Cove Terra CC 302.292.3821 419.334.8400 x179 [email protected] Memphis, TN 38134 [email protected] Phone: 901.333.4643 Fax: 901.333.4651 Chuck Wessell [email protected] Ignacio Alarcon Student Mathematics League www.amatyc.org Equal Opportunity in Durham Technical CC Mathematics 919.686.3632 Santa Barbara City College [email protected] Cheryl Cleaves 805.965.3581 Executive Director of Office Operations [email protected] Mary Ann Hovis [email protected] Technical Mathematics/AAS Ernie Danforth Programs Beverly Vance Christy Hunsucker Faculty Development Rhodes State College Office Director Accounting Director Corning CC 419.995.8422 [email protected] [email protected] 607.962.9518 [email protected] [email protected] Christine Shott Shinder Blunt David Graser Publications Director Secretary Jeff Morford Technology in Mathematics [email protected] [email protected] Foundation/Developmental Education Mathematics Yavapai College Henry Ford CC 928.776.2108 313.317.4046 [email protected] [email protected] Doug Mace For a listing of AMATYC Affiliates and their presidents, Mary Kay Abbey Traveling Workshops Grants Coordinator Kirtland CC please visit the AMATYC website, www.amatyc.org. Send Montgomery College 989.275.5000 x275 updates or corrections to the AMATYC Secretary, 301.650.1440 [email protected] [email protected] Irene Doo. www.amatyc.org 11 May 2005 AMATYC Service Dates To Remember! Support Foundation Registration for the Teacher Prep We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Summer Institute Winston Churchill Deadline: June 1, 2005 www.amatyc.org/Foundation
[email protected] Registration for the Mathematics
○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○ Across the Community College Curriculum Summer Institute PLEASE PARTICIPATE—A SPECIAL REQUEST Deadline: June 10, 2005 The Foundation plans to list contributors in a special article in August and has as its goal a high member participation rate. Please help by donating now. Your contribution of any amount helps us reach this goal! Project ACCCESS
Fellows Applications ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Deadline: July 1, 2005 Visit the website for more information, or simply mail your check made out to “AMATYC Foundation” to AMATYC Foundation, Southwest Tennessee CC, 5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN 38134. Call for Nominations for Please join your AMATYC Executive Board in support of your profes- Mathematics Excellence Award sional organization. The Foundation solicits your support for one of its Deadline: November 1, 2005 three funds: • Crossroads Revisited Fund For more information visit • Project ACCCESS Fund www.amatyc.org • General Development Fund See the website for more details. Undesignated funds go to the General Development Fund. Philip Mahler, Foundation Chairperson Middlesex Community College 781.280.3861 [email protected]
Jean Woody, Editor AMATYC News Tulsa CC 10300 E. 81st St. Tulsa, OK 74133