Appendix A Appendix C

Assessment in a Middle-school Mathematics Teacher Preparation Program

Appendix B: Discrete Mathematics Courses Objectives and Learner Outcomes

(See http://mathserv.monmouth.edu/coursenotes/gold/MA520hom.htm; this course will be designated MA 520 once the program is approved; currently we offer it as MA 598, our graduate Special Topics number).

Course Objectives:  This course will

• Give students a deeper understanding of topics in discrete mathematics taught at the K-12 level
• Introduce students to heuristics for problem-solving
• Give examples of how to use these concepts to develop classroom materials to enhance student learning
• Introduce students to mathematical software available at the school level for investigating discrete mathematics
• Involve students in problem solving activities via exploration and experimentation to allow students to construct (and reconstruct) mathematics understanding and knowledge
• Encourage visual reasoning as well as symbolic deductive modes of thought (by incorporating models, concrete materials, diagrams and sketches)
• Introduce multiple strategies of approaching problems by discussing and listening to how others think about a concept, problem, or idea
• Involve students in small group work and cooperative learning
• Help students become aware of their own mathematical thought processes (and feelings about mathematics) and those of others
• Introduce students to multiple methods of assessment in mathematics.

Expected Learner Outcomes:  Students will develop the ability to:

• Approach problems from multiple perspectives and help their students become better problem solvers
• Use mathematical language to correctly state mathematical definitions and theorems
• Begin developing mathematical proofs
• Use assorted counting techniques to solve problems

• Work with the assorted concepts from graph theory and apply them to a range of problems, including map coloring, networks, traversing routes