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Augusta State University

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

 

MATH 4800

Secondary Mathematics from an Advanced Perspective

 

Fall 2009 *Allgood Hall E260

 

 

 

Instructor

Linda Crawford, Ph.D.

Allgood Hall N322

(706) 667-4477

lcrawfor@aug.edu  (observe:  it is lcrawfor-----there is no “d”!!)

Office Hours

·         Monday & Wednesday, 2:30-3:45

·         Tuesday & Thursday, 11:30-12:30

·         Other times by appointment

 

 

 

PREREQUISITES: MATH 4211 and permission of department chair

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed so that prospective teachers can gain a deeper understanding of the key ideas of secondary school mathematics in the areas of number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis.

 

OBJECTIVES:  The purpose of this course is to engage students in experiences that will enable them to

·         make meaningful connections between post-secondary mathematics courses and secondary school mathematics

·         grow in mathematical maturity and habits of mind to enable and encourage their continued growth of knowledge in mathematics and its teaching

·         expand their pedagogical skills to enable collaboration, critical thinking, hands-on exploration, and problem-based inquiry

·         increase facility in the appropriate use of manipulatives and technological tools

 

SUPPLIES

 

COURSE OUTLINE

The content studied in the course is grounded in the core content of high school mathematics: numbers, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis. The course, however, is not a review course. Rather, key concepts in the secondary curriculum are examined from an advanced perspective by emphasizing the following features:

 

The percentages to determine your course grade: 

           

·         Midterm exam

25%

 

·         Other written or presented assignments—for ex, homework, quizzes, solutions of problems, reviews of websites or journal articles, online discussions

 

15%

 

·         Ongoing assignments—for ex,  journal writings & projects

25%

·         Instructor evaluation—Includes professionalism and the quality of participation in groups and in whole-class discussions

 

10%

 

·         Final  exam  

25%

 

Other Written Assignments

Other written assignments may include quizzes, reaction papers, homework problems, online discussion, etc.  We will often discuss a problem in class, and I will ask you to turn in a write-up of the solution to be graded.  I encourage you to work together to solve problems, but any work you turn in must be your own.  That is, you may gather ideas and find solutions together, but you must WRITE UP THE SOLUTIONS YOURSELF.  I am sure you will struggle with some problems (just as I will!), but in the end you should gain a deeper understanding of many mathematical concepts.

 

Journal Writings 

A component of effective teaching is reflection on practice.  The NCTM Principles and Standards stress that teachers must have opportunities to reflect on and refine instructional practice –during class and outside class, alone and with others.  The assignment of open-ended reflections provides you with the opportunity to become a more reflective thinker.  Although the reflections are open-ended, you may want to consider the following questions:    

·         What have you learned that will help you be a better mathematics teacher? 

 

Your journal entries should focus on your developing understanding of mathematics - insights that you have, things that you are confused about, realizations that relate to the teaching and learning of mathematics, frustrations that you encounter, etc. What I do not want to see is a simple recounting of what went on in class; instead, I am more interested in how you process that information. The journal will be kept in Vista; you should make a minimum of 2 posts per week.  Your journal can be valuable to you as a device to make explicit your reflections on mathematics, and to me as a source of information about you and the progress of the class.

 

Projects

·         Presentation on a mathematician

·         History of math discussions (a fewer number of posts than required for MATH 6800 students)

·         Analysis of a mathematics problem (creation of task related to problem not required)

 

Course Notebook

You should organize all materials (handouts, class notes, homework, readings, etc) in a 3-ring binder.  This notebook will be a record of your work in the course and will also serve as a tool for reflection.  It will also be a valuable resource to you in your own teaching. 

 

Technology

Tutorials for Texas Instruments products  (such as graphing calculator, TI-Nspire, SmartView, TI Navigator)

Another tutorial for the TI 83/84  can be found at http://www.prenhall.com/divisions/esm/app/graphing/ti83/index.html

 

TI-Connect software allows you to connect your calculator to your computer and can be downloaded free.  You will, however, need a TI-Connectivity cable—this cable is packaged with the silver editions of the calculators but can also be purchased separately (see the website for a $15 rebate).

 

Geometer’s Sketchpad can be found at http://www.keypress.com/.  Teachers can download a free Instructor’s Evaluation Edition that will expire after 60 days.  You are not able to save or print using this edition.  Geometer’s Sketchpad is installed on the campus computers-- go to the Campus Software folder and then to the Teacher Development folder. 

 

Some of the assignments will be in PDF form so you will need Adobe Reader software—this can be downloaded free from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

 

I often use Windows Journal to grade assignments you submit electronically. You may need the computer program Windows Journal Viewer to open the returned assignment. You can download it free by clicking on Windows Journal Viewer.

 

Some assignments will be submitted through GeorgiaVIEW Vista (WebCT Vista).  You can also access Vista through the My Courses tab on Pipeline.  If you need help with Vista, visit the online support center.

 

If you need help with technology, check with the Information Technology Student Help Desk--either in person or by phone.  The number is 706-737-1676.  Information about the Help Desk can be found at http://www.aug.edu/its/Welcome.html.

 

If you must miss a class….

Notify me as soon as possible.  Because we meet only one day a week, it is absolutely necessary for you to be in class, with all readings completed and good attempts of all the problems assigned.  However, if there is an emergency and you must miss a class or portion of a class, you are required to submit a detailed  “Missed Class Paper” paper (typed).  This paper will include the names of your classmates with whom you met to discuss the missed class session, a description of the activities of the class you missed and how you engaged in these activities, any research you might have done (use books and the web as resources—citing references), an explanation of your understanding of the mathematical ideas investigated, any insights you gained, and any questions you have about these mathematical ideas.  The paper is not to be merely a list of what was done in class but instead shows your effort at making sense of these ideas and what learning you have gained.  The paper must be emailed to me at least one day prior to the next class meeting.  If you miss a class, contact a classmate to collect any handouts for you (I often don’t have them after class).  Remember that if you miss 10% of the class time, you can be withdrawn from the class. 

 

Assignments to be turned in are due at the beginning of the class period.  Put the assignment on my desk when you arrive for class.  Even if you are absent, your assignment is still due at the beginning of class.  If you will not be in class on a day that an assignment is due, you may email it to me or place it in my mailbox before class starts or send it with another student.  A late assignment will be accepted only in extreme and documented situations.

 

If you have a disability and wish to receive accommodations in class, please apply with the Office of Disability Services.

 

Professional Organizations

You are encouraged to join the following professional organizations:

 

Classroom Policies

·         It is a policy of Allgood Hall that food and drink are not allowed in the classrooms so cups, bottles, etc. should be capped and stored in your bag.  Furthermore, food and drink interfere with group activities and the use of manipulatives.

·         It is distracting to me and disruptive to the class activities if you leave the classroom during the class period.  Thus, I ask you to refrain from "taking a break" except for an emergency.

·         Visitors, including children, are not permitted without my prior permission.

·         You are expected to check your campus email regularly.

 

Academic honesty

Cheating will not be tolerated.  This pertains not only to in-class work but to outside assignments as well-any assignment that you submit as your own should be a report of YOUR thinking.  Any student who is caught cheating will face serious consequences.  You should read ASU's statement on academic honesty in the catalog.

 

Dates to Remember      

Mon-Tues, Sept 7-8

Wed-Fri, Nov 25-27

Holidays

Mon, Oct 12

Midterm date (if you plan to withdraw, do so no later than this date)      

Thurs, Dec 3

Fall semester classes end   

Final exam

October 14-16 (Wed-Fri)

GCTM Conference at Rock Eagle—a limited number of rooms are available for preservice teachers at $5.00 per night (GCTM membership required for this rate)

November 18-20 (Wed-Fri)

NCTM Regional Conference in Nashville

March 5-7 (Fri-Sun)

Teachers Teaching with Technology (T3) International Conference in Atlanta –Registration ($145) is complimentary for preservice teachers—register by January 22.