Minicourses at MAA MathFest are offered separately from other mathematical sessions and at an additional fee. Advance registration is required to attend, with a list of offered courses available for selection through the registration portal.
MAA Minicourses are partially supported by the William F. Lucas Fund. Read more about Prof. Lucas here.
1. Initiating, Designing, Building, and Using Modeling Scenarios for Teaching Differential Equations
Part A: Thursday, August 2, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tower Court A, Tower Building
Part B: Friday, August 3, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tower Court A, Tower Building
Description
We offer guidance and resources for developing materials for teaching differential equations using models. We discuss how to produce modeling scenarios and help participants focus on projects of their own. Sharing resources will assist participants in shaping their own modeling scenarios. Through active, hands-on, group work participating faculty will experience using modeling to teach differential equations from day one.
Brian Winkel, SIMIODE
Lisa Driskell, Colorado Mesa University
Audrey Malagon, Virginia Wesleyan University
Sponsor: Systemic Initiative for Modeling Investigations and Opportunities with Differential Equations (SIMIODE)
2. Introduction to Inquiry-Based Learning
Part A: Thursday, August 2, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tower Court A, Tower Building
Part B: Saturday, August 4, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tower Court A, Tower Building
Description
This minicourse will be a hands-on introduction to inquiry-based learning, a pedagogical approach that strongly emphasizes active learning and sense-making. Facilitators and participants will model IBL classroom modes as teachers and students and analyze on these experiences so that participants can integrate these modes into their teaching practice. The minicourse is intended for instructors new to inquiry-based learning.
Brian P Katz, Augustana College
Victor Piercey, Ferris State University
Eric Kahn, Bloomsburg University
Candice Price, University of San Diego
Xiao Xiao, Utica College
Alison Marr, Southwestern University
Sponsor: The SIGMAA for Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL SIGMAA)
3. An Introduction to WeBWorK: An Open Source Alternative for Generating and Delivering Online Homework Problems
Part A: Friday, August 3, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tower Court A, Tower Building
Part B: Saturday, August 4, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tower Court A, Tower Building
Description
Participants will learn to utilize the opensource online homework system WeBWorK. Adopted by over 1200 institutions, WeBWorK includes an extensive, curated library of over 35,000 exercises encompassing the collegiate curriculum. Subjects include College Algebra, Calculus, ODEs, Linear Algebra, Statistics, and Introduction to Proofs. Participants will learn how to utilize WeBWorK in their classrooms and to edit WeBWorK exercises.
John Travis, Mississippi College
Robin Cruz, College of Idaho
Tim Flowers, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Sponsor: MAA Committee on Technology in Mathematics Education (CTiME)
4. Leading a Successful Program Review
Part A: Friday, August 3, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tower Court B, Tower Building
Part B: Saturday, August 4, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tower Court B, Tower Building
Description
Designed for faculty members preparing to lead program reviews in the next year or so, this mini-course covers the reasons for undertaking a program, how to write the self-study, the role of an external consultant, pitfalls that one might anticipate and how to avoid them. The mini-course will also interest faculty who are willing to serve as an external consultant.
Rick Gillman, Valparaiso University
Henry Walker, Grinnell College
Sponsor: MAA Committee on Departmental Reviews
5. Mathematical Card Magic
Part A: Thursday, August 2, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tower Court B, Tower Building
Part B: Saturday, August 4, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tower Court B, Tower Building
Description
A survey of modern self-working mathematical card magic, including original principles and effects shared online in the Card Colm blog (2004-2014) at MAA.org. A special feature will be two-person card magic based on subtle mathematical communication principles. The material can be used to liven up mathematics classes and motivate student learning. The only prerequisite is curiosity.
Colm Mulcahy, Spelman College
6. Visualizing Projective Geometry Through Photographs and Perspective Drawings
Part A: Thursday, August 2, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tower Court B, Tower Building
Part B: Friday, August 3, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Tower Court B, Tower Building
Description
We introduce hands-on, practical art puzzles that motivate the mathematics of projective geometry---the study of properties invariant under projective transformations. On the art side, we explore activities in perspective drawing or photography. These activities inform the mathematical side, where we introduce activities in problem solving and proof suitable for a sophomore-level proofs class. No artistic experience is required.
Annalisa Crannell, Franklin & Marshall College
Fumiko Futamura, Southwestern University