Project Title: AMATYC (American Mathematical Association of Two-Year College) Summer Institute
Project Author: Irene Gaither (South Mountain)
Abstract: Write a concise summary with descriptive information about your project, location, time span, your relationship to it, etc. Include specific information-- since you have completed your project, your knowledge is valuable and can be shared with your colleagues.
I participated in a 4.5-day,38-hour, AMATYC (American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges) Summer Institute at the US Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility, Outer Banks NC, with 22 other math instructors in the east coast. The theme was "Developmental Algebra Using a Function Approach." It was the integration use of technology with TI-84 Plus SE graphing calculator, CBR, CBL-2, Cabri Jr, TI-Navigator version 3.0, Flashcard, TI-Smart View version 2.0, Easy Link from Vernier, Vernier LabPro-DataMate, and and various Apps (applications). The workshop emphasized the teaching process and building patterns by looking at behaviors and parameters. Based on recent research in the cognitive sciences, algebra should be taught through a function approach implemented with a graphing calculator so that we can enhance learning. At the same time, we could hold to a higher standard of mathematical understandings through an appropriate level of rigor.
Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read.
The materials given in the workshop were useful in both Introductory and Intermediate Algebra courses; some could even be used in College Algebra. I am convinced that technology should be utilized to some extent in algebra courses. I will integrate the notes given in this institute with the textbook we use in the classroom, in the hope that students would understand algebra better. I was able to accomplish my objectives and complete my summer projects as written.
I also had an opportunity to trade in my old TI-83 view screen for the new TI-84 plus SE for teacher. I was not surprised by the fact that some of the equipments CBL-2 have been used several times; therefore there were one or two that did not work well to collect data.
Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you?
In this Summer Project I was exposed to several techniques for teaching Introduction and Intermediate Algebra, the connections between algebraic concepts from a graphical, numerical, analytical approach, and pattern of recognitions. I learned more about the memory management on TI-83 Plus and TI-84+ graphing calculators. The APPS (Applications) offered about how and when the equipments could be used appropriately in the classroom. However, I am not convinced enough that it is all that beneficial it is rather financial burden for such a small campus. Overall, it was valuable to be integrated with the textbook used in the classroom.
Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college?
I plan to share with my colleagues my experiences along with the numerous data sets collection and projects in the notebook. This notebook is available in the Math Science Engineering (MSE) Blackboard site (permission to use and share this information is given by the institute).
For more information about this project, check out the "package" in the Maricopa Learning eXchange:
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=01827