California State University - Stanislaus – Progress Report
- Principal Investigator: Marie Vanisko
- Topic of Minigrant: Development of Linear/Abstract Algebra courses for students and teachers who are not mathematics majors
- Duration of Minigrant: 2 years (Dec. 15, 2003 - Dec. 15, 2005)
- Date for Visit by PMET Monitor, given by PI: It may be better to be visited during the spring semester when our course will be offered. I would suggest a date in either early March or mid-April. The best policy would be for us to be in email contact with the person who would be coming. We can finalize a date by January.
Activities and Progress
Our proposal requested funds to design two mathematics courses for futureand current teachers seeking the multiple subject credential but wanting the certification that would allow them to teach mathematics at departmentalized middle/junior high schools. During this past spring semester, we dialogued about the specific topics that should be included in the courses suggested and what the prerequisites for the courses should be. Because we wanted the linear algebra to be anabsolute prerequisite for the abstract algebra, we decided that this could best be accomplished by developing a single 4-credit course that covers both topics in sequence. We developed a course syllabus and selected appropriate materials. This was not easy since nearly every book or booklet written for abstract algebra is designed for mathematics majors. We selected the book, Principles and Practice of Mathematics, that was developed by COMAP (Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications). We will use only a portion of that text, but the materials we selected were authored by Alan Tucker and Joseph Gallian, two outstanding mathematicians. On August 14, we got together a group of teachers and students and had them examine a few examples and problems from the text. Working in groups, they discussed the nature of the topics to be covered in the course and how well prepared they thought they were for such a course. We found their feedback very useful. We had purchased copies of the text through a program at the university and loaned the participants copies of that book which they will review in the coming months. They will also discuss this course with their colleagues and then we will meet with them again in January 2005. We are now beginning the process of having the course approved through our department and it will be offered on a first time trial basis in the spring semester of 2005. Some of our participants have indicated a desire to take the course. I have also submitted a proposal to speak about our project at the NCTM 2005 conference in Anaheim, CA next April. I expect to hear in September whether or not I have been accepted.