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Minicourses

1. Beyond Traditional Grading Schemes

Part A: Thursday, August 1, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Junior Ballroom A
Part B: Saturday, August 3, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Junior Ballroom A

Description

Mastery grading is an assessment approach in which students are provided clear learning objectives and grades are directly based on students' ability to demonstrate complete mastery of these objectives by the end of the semester. Recent trends indicate this grading structure encourages a growth-mindset, reduces test anxiety, and improves student gains. This minicourse is designed for new practitioners.

Organizers:
Jessica O’Shaughnessy, Shenandoah University
Jeb Collins, Mary Washington University
Amanda Harsey, Lewis University
Alyssa Hoofnagle, Wittenberg University
Mike Jansen, Dordt College

Sponsor:
MAA Committee on Assessment

 

2. Creating a Purposeful Student Learning Experience

Part A: Thursday, August 1, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Room 204
Part B: Saturday, August 3, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Room 204

Description

Do your requirements for your departmental majors constitute an integrated framework for student success, or are they just a set of individual classes? Do your faculty work together effectively to achieve desired outcomes and to assess your progress? Do you strategically incorporate experiences outside the classroom in student learning? This minicourse will guide you in creating a learning-focused departmental culture.

Organizers:
Dan Callon, Franklin College
John Boardman, Franklin College
Paul Fonstad, Franklin College
Justin Gash, Franklin College
Stacy Hoehn, Franklin College
Angie Walls, Franklin College

 

3. Game Theoretic Modeling for Math Majors

Part A: Thursday, August 1, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Junior Ballroom A
Part B: Friday, August 2, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Junior Ballroom A

Description

Mathematical modeling bridges the distance between the real world in which we operate and the abstract world that provides guiding structures. We use game theory as a mathematical tool when modeling scenarios having multiple interacting decision makers: people, businesses, governments, animals, and genes. This mini-course introduces some game theoretic tools and their applications in settings appropriate for math majors.

Organizer:
Rick Gillman, Valparaiso University

 

4. Introduction to WeBWorK: An Open Source Alternative to Generate and Deliver Online Homework Problems

Part A: Thursday, August 1, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Room 204
Part B: Friday, August 2, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Room 204

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.

Organizers:
Tim Flowers, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Robin Cruz, College of Idaho
Stacey Rodman, Augustana College

Sponsor:
MAA Committee on Technology in Mathematics Education (CTME)

 

5. Visualizing Projective Geometry Through Photographs and Perspective Drawings

Part A: Thursday, August 1, 3:40 p.m. – 5:40 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Room 204
Part B: Friday, August 2, 3:40 p.m. – 5:40 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Room 204

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.

Organizer:
Annalisa Crannell, Franklin & Marshall College,

Sponsor:
SIGMAA-ARTS

 

6. Mathematical Card Magic

Part A: Thursday, August 1, 3:40 p.m. – 5:40 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Junior Ballroom A
Part B: Friday, August 2, 3:40 p.m. – 5:40 p.m., Duke Energy Convention Center, Junior Ballroom A

Description

A modern survey of self-working mathematical card magic, from classics such as binary and Gilbreath principle based entertainments to original principles and effects discovered by the presenter and previously shared at MAA.org. A special feature will be two-person card magic based on subtle mathematical communication principles: discrete mathematics, combinatorics and elementary probability. No prerequisites, and no sleight of hand skills are required.

Organizer:
Colm Mulcahy, Spelman College

 

Year: 
2019