Inquiry-Based Learning with A Focus on Number Theory: a Transitions-to-Proof Course

Inquiry-Based Learning with A Focus on Number Theory: a Transitions-to-Proof Course

Michael Starbird, Edward W. Odell, David Marshall, Stephanie Nichols
June 1-6, 2008 
University of Texas
Austin, TX

Cosponsored by the Educational Advancement Foundation

Registration Fee: $325 by April 20, $450 after

All mathematics departments in the country face the challenges of getting their students to learn how to prove theorems on their own and of giving students the perspective that they can create mathematics. This workshop will assist college-level mathematics faculty members to solve these perennial problems and should be attractive to anyone interested in one or more of three issues: (a) inquiry-based learning (IBL), (b) transitions-to-proof, and (c) teaching introductory number theory.

The workshop will introduce participants to the IBL style of instruction and will specifically show them how to teach a transitions-to-proof number theory course in that style. Participants will be connected to a mentoring support system to help them as they implement these ideas in their own institutions. Participants should be fully prepared to teach their own IBL-style courses after the workshop, particularly number theory.

The workshop will include participatory discussions based on videos of actual IBL classes, role-playing sessions conducted by the participants and critiqued by the workshop leaders, and talks from experienced IBL instructors. The workshop will be designed for participants who may or may not have had previous experience with IBL techniques. Participants will receive a copy of the textbook Number Theory Through Inquiry and written and DVD resource material about IBL. Preliminary reading and email or personal discussions, the intensive weeklong workshop, the written and DVD materials, and the postworkshop mentoring are all designed to stimulate mathematics faculty to offer life-changing courses at their own institutions.

For additional information visit the IBL with a Focus on Number Theory website.

Questions about PREP? Contact Olga Dixon at 202-319-8498 or odixon@maa.org.