PBL Especially in the Context of Large Classes
This webpage from McMaster University in Canada describes one approach using small groups for using problem-based learning in teaching large classes. The focus of the authors is on teaching medical students but they also describe use of this approach in teaching civil engineering students, geography, etc. The approach described is likely to be of interest to analytical chemistry faculty teaching large classes of undergraduates as well. Links near the end of the document to pdf files contain u
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
This is one of the best online resources about fractals, and is meant to support a first course in fractal geometry for students without especially strong mathematical preparation. The site is incredibly deep, providing everything from the most basic definitions and non-technical discussions to involved mathematical formulations. Interactive Java applets, downloadable software for the PC and Macintosh, and laboratory activities are also presented. A particularly interesting section of the site e
GoMath
Grade school students will find GoMath.com a valuable online tutor for almost any topic in mathematics. The three most useful sections of the site are Algebra Solutions, Geometry Solutions, and Formula-To-Go. The first two explain many common mathematical properties and offer mini-lessons and worksheets about each topic. Formula-To-Go has equations, tables, and calculus identities that make an excellent quick reference. Another section that is better suited for practice is the questions archive.
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
Using this online activity, students explore the meaning of probability using the pigeonhole principle. The initial question asks students to determine the probability that someone who is not paying attention to what she is doing can put checks into the correct envelopes. The activity is one of 80 mathematical challenges featured on the Figure This! web site, where real-world uses of mathematics are emphasized. The solution hint suggests experimenting with the possible outcomes with checks a, b,
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
In this activity, students use hits and at-bat data to determine which of two baseball players has a better batting average. The activity is one of 80 mathematical challenges featured on the Figure This! web site, where real-world uses of mathematics are emphasized. The activity contains a solution hint, a complete explanation of the answer that reveals the surprising answer, and additional problems related to finding averages. Information about baseball averages and fractions is included. Copyr
Studies in robust estimation and control
Effective monitoring and tight control of chemical, petrochemical and biochemical processes are often hindered by the absence of frequent measurements of important process variables that are related to product quality, the presence of process-model mismatch, unmeasureable disturbances, measurement noise, and highly nonlinear process dynamics. This dissertation presents new methods of nonlinear estimation and control in the presence of such practical problems. Simulation and real-time implementat
Resources used by high school students in preparing independent study projects: a bibliometric appro
This study provides a description of the use of libraries and library resources by academic high school students preparing papers for independent study projects. For purposes of this analysis independent study projects were defined as those in which students prepared papers, projects or reports on individual topics, using sources other than class texts and, further, that there was a written record by students of sources used. References in such written reports reflect not just the assignment, bu
Math Teaser
Every month we will give you a math/statistics brain teaser that lets you test your knowledge with a fun problem.Many of the ideas in these Teasers come from thoughts formed by some of the great mathematical/statistical geniuses in history.
Supporting a Learner Community with Software Agents
This paper describes a multi- agent approach that aims at supporting learners involved in a collective activity. We consider pedagogical situations where students have to explicitly define the articulation of their collective work and then achieve the different tasks they have defined. Our objective is to support these students by taking some of these tasks in charge whilst making them work out such organisation features. For this purpose, we propose to consider that the group of students forms
The Development and Use of Representations in Teaching and Learning about Problem Solving: Exploring
Tim Boerst has explored instructional approaches that foster the development of representational skill and routine use of multiple representations in problem solving. In particular he has used the 'Rule of 3' (a structure employed in calculus reform materials that highlights the use of numerical, algebraic, and/or graphic representations in mathematical learning) to see whether an emphasis on multiple representations would deepen mathematical learning opportunities for a wide variety of students
A primer in MathML
This course, as the name suggest, is intended to help authors who want to publish mathematical content on web. The emphasis here is to enable learners to quickly adapt to the extensive mathML markup language and begin writing codes even without a specialized editor, available commercially. The course is presented in the form of a tutorial, which essentially saves on unnecessary details. This tutorial is not intended currently (may be supplemented later with the help coming from others) to be a c
Patrons d'exercices pour Aplusix Une étape du développement de l'EIAH occasion d'un travail entre
Au cours du développement de l'EIAH APLUSIX, il y a eu de nombreuses occasions d'un travail partagé entre informaticiens et didacticiens. Quelques-unes sont décrites succinctement. Lors de la mise en place de patrons d'exercices et d'une carte de tests, une coopération plus approfondie a eu lieu, en respectant les disciplines de chacun. Cette mise en place de patrons d'exercices est décrite plus longuement.,Preprint
Empirical Research Methods
Regression analysis is an enormously popular and powerful tool, used ubiquitously in the social and behavioral sciences. Most courses on the subject immediately dive into the mathematical aspects of the subject and illustrate the technique on problems that are already highly structured. As a result, most students come away with little idea of the wide range of problems to which regression analysis can be applied and how to represent those problems in a way that cleverly utilizes readily availabl
Private Universe Project in Mathematics: Workshop 3. Inventing Notations
We learn how to foster and appreciate students notations for their richness and creativity. We also look at some of the possibilities that early work in creating notation systems might open up for students as they move on toward algebra.,Kenilworth Study: Pizzas In the fourth grade, the students encounter counting problems where the solutions cannot be built using standard manipulatives. As he invents his own notation systems, one student, Matt, builds on previous work to arrive at a solution
Private Universe Project in Mathematics: Workshop 2. Are You Convinced?
Proof making is one of the key ideas in mathematics. Looking at teachers and students grappling with the same probability problem, we see how two kinds of proofproof by cases and proof by inductionnaturally grow out of the need to justify and convince others.,25 min. Englewood, New JerseyTeachers Workshop Englewood, a town with unsatisfactory student test scores, is implementing a long-term project to improve math achievement. As part of a professional development workshop designed in part
Private Universe Project in Mathematics: Workshop 2. Are You Convinced?
Proof making is one of the key ideas in mathematics. Looking at teachers and students grappling with the same probability problem, we see how two kinds of proofproof by cases and proof by inductionnaturally grow out of the need to justify and convince others.,Englewood, New JerseyTeachers Workshop Englewood, a town with unsatisfactory student test scores, is implementing a long-term project to improve math achievement. As part of a professional development workshop designed in part to give
Private Universe Project in Mathematics: Workshop 4: Thinking Like a Mathematician
What does a mathematician do? What does it mean to think like a mathematician? This program parallels what a mathematician does in real life with the creative thinking of students.,How a Mathematician Approaches Problems - Fern Hunt, a mathematician at the National Institute for Standards and Technology, is seen as she collaborates with colleagues to solve difficult technical problems. Using the metaphor of the childrens game Towers of Hanoi, she explains her approach to solving problems. 15 m
Chemical Equilibrium in the Gas Phase
This website describes gas phase equilibrium chemistry and provides a tutorial on key concepts like LeChatelier's principal and includes on-line exercises in which the reader can check their understanding. Calculations of equilibrium constants expressed in terms of pressure and concentration are presented. This site will be most useful for high school and introductory university Chemistry courses in which students are developing an understanding of equilibrium chemistry.
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
Six days a week, a new math problem is posted on this Web site to intrigue and challenge grade school students. Each Daily Brain has a different theme, considering some mathematical perspective of science, history, geography, and more. After solving the problem, or for a little help, students can look at a step-by-step solution that is also posted online. All old Daily Brains are kept in an archive, and as of May 2003, they numbered around 400. The problems are mostly intended for students betwe
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
Located at the University of Wales, the Centre for the Popularisation of Mathematics brings a more artistic side to the often plainly presented subject. Several online exhibits and galleries illustrate sculptures and knots that have a basis in math. One of the most interesting and famous mathematical sculptures is the Mobius Band. The centre gives a description of the Mobius Band and its significance, as well as instructions on how to create one and interesting experiments to try. Many other scu
