SEMINAR IN PROFESSIONALIZED SUBJECT MATTER IN MATHEMATICS

 

MA 650

 

1.     Catalog Description

 

            This seminar is designed to provide an advanced integration and extension of concepts of professionalized subject matter in such areas as algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus.  The seminar will include investigation of the potential impact of advanced mathematical concepts not only in senior high schools but also in junior high schools and junior colleges.

Prerequisite: Math 620 and/or Math 622 or equivalent.

 

2.     Goals of the Course

 

1.     To improve familiarity with current and past literature in various fields of professionalized subject matter in mathematics.

2.     To enhance the insight of mathematics teachers in branches of mathematics taught by such teachers.

3.     To contribute to the improved ability of mathematics teachers to provide lucid and motivational approaches to the learning of secondary school mathematics.

4.     To help students develop a reservoir of P.S.M. for subsequent use in creation of theses (Masters or Doctoral), articles, and textbooks.

 

Instructional Procedures

 

1.     Lectures and discussion

2.     Utilization of outside sources (library and technology).

3.     Student presentations of results of independent research.

 

Course Content

 

1.     The history of professionalized subject matter in mathematics.

2.     Advanced structures and consequent alternative approaches for various areas of secondary school mathematics.  (e.g., geometry, trigonometry, and algebra)

3.     Utilization of professionalized subject matter in mathematics in secondary school special education.

a.      Gifted students

b.     Reluctant learners

4.     Potential role in junior high school mathematics of number theory, intuitive approach to differential calculus and maxima and minima aspects of areas and volumes.

5.     Utilization in secondary school mathematics of the modern alliance of algebra and geometry.

6.     Mathematical modeling as a basis for enrichment of studies of applications of secondary school mathematics.

7.     Utilization in secondary school mathematics classes of research in educational psychology.

8.     Investigation of the potential use of discoveries resulting from Master’s or Doctoral research in secondary school mathematics.

9.     Utilization in secondary school mathematics of historical topics, such as the history of theory of equations.

 

Evaluation Measures

     

1.     Participation in classwork

2.     Preparation of reports an assignments

3.     Written examinations

 

Bibliography

 

1.     Cooke, Roger, The History of Mathematics, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1997.

2.     Gay, David, Geometry by Discovery, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1998.

3.     Kalman, Dan, Elementary Mathematical Models: Order Aplenty and a Glimpse of Chaos, Mathematical Association of America, Washington, D.C., 1997.

4.     Kostelich, Eric and Armbruster, Dieter, Introductory Differential Equations: From Linearity to Chaos, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass., 1996.

5.     Sullivan, Michael and Sullivan, Michael III, Precalculus: Enhanced with Graphing Utilities, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., 1996.

6.     Zimmermann, Walter and Cunningham, Steve, Visualization in Teaching and Learning Mathematics.

7.     Zill, Dennis and Cullen, Michael, Differential Equations with Boundary-Value Problems, Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, California, 1997.

 

Additional Teaching Aids

 

·         Periodicals

           

1.     The Mathematics Teacher

2.     School Science and Mathematics

3.     The American Mathematical Monthly

 

·         Mathematical Association of America,

      Resources For Calculus Collection,

      Washington, D.C.: MAA, 1993

 

      Vol. 1: Learning by Discovery: A Lab Manual for Calculus

      Vol. 2:  Calculus Problems for a New Century

      Vol. 3:  Applications of Calculus

      Vol. 4:  Problems for Student Investigation

      Vol. 5:  Readings for Calculus

 

·         National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Reston, Virginia

 

        Calculators for Classrooms: Videotape and Guidebook, 1992

      Calculators in Mathematics Education, 1992

      Historical Topics for the Mathematics Classroom, 1989

      Mathematics for the Middle Grades, 1982

      Readings for Enrichment in Secondary School Mathematics, 1988

      Teaching and Learning Mathematics in the 1990’s, 1990