MAA CP J1 Getting Students To Explore Concepts Through Writing In Mathematics Sarah Mabrouk, Framingham State University, Organizer

This session invites papers about assignments/projects that require students to write about mathematical concepts, to express concepts and to interpret symbolic mathematics in their own words, and to write about mathematics, in general. These assignments can include conceptual papers such as having the students explain a concept in their own words as an answer a question, in the form of a letter to a friend, a poem, or even a short story, project reports that require students to explain fully all concepts used as if to someone who knows little or nothing about the mathematics used in solving the project problem, assignments that require students to express theorems in plain English so that one of their friends could understand, or even simple assignments that require students to explain the meaning and the use of the variables and notations that they use.

Each presenter is encouraged to discuss how the use of the assignment/project helped students to improve their understanding of course concepts and how the use of writing in the course helped students to understand and to learn mathematics. Of particular interest is the effect of such projects/assignments throughout the semester on the students’ understanding of course concepts and notations, the ability of students to communicate mathematics using words and symbols, and the attitude of students toward mathematics.

Friday, August 13, 2004, 3:15 – 5:30 pm

· 3:15 – 3:25 pm Enhancing Mathematics Learning Through Writing
Dora Ahmadi, Morehead State University
Kathryn Lewis, Morehead State University

· 3:30 – 3:40 pm Mathematics Journals: Writing to Learn
Carol Gibbons, Salve Regina University

· 3:45 – 3:55 pm Reading and Journals and Websites, Oh My!
Susan Wildstrom, Walt Whitman High School

· 4:00 – 4:10 pm The Write Stuff: Using Labs in Precalculus
Marsha Davis, Eastern Connecticut State University

· 4:15 – 4:25 pm Creating and Using Effective Writing Prompts in a

Calculus Sequence

M.E. (Murphy) Waggoner, Simpson College

· 4:30 – 4:40 pm Writing in a Sophomore-Level Proofs Course
Lisa Rome, College of Mount St. Joseph

· 4:45 – 4:55 pm Writing Assignments Using Mathematical Quotations
Jon Breitenbucher, College of Wooster

· 5:00 – 5:10 pm Problem Zero
Laura Taalman, James Madison University

· 5:15 – 5:25 pm Integrable Writings in Calculus – Cancelled
Satish C. Bhatnagar, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Saturday, August 14, 2004, 3:45 – 5:15 pm

· 3:45 – 3:55 pm Reading and Writing in Mathematics? The Math Book Club

for Undergraduate Mathematics Courses

Mika Munakata, Montclair State University

· 4:00 – 4:10 pm Research Projects as a Means of Student Engagement
Daniel Alexander, Drake University

· 4:15 – 4:25 pm Using Writing to Get Students to Read Mathematics
Cornelius Nelan, Quinnipiac University

· 4:30 – 4:40 pm Reality Calculus: Critical Thinking and Organized Writing
Lee Stemkoski, Dartmouth College

· 4:45 – 4:55 pm Introducing the Concept of Integral Via Experimentation,

Discovery, and Writing

Joe T. Harris, Jr., Saint Andrews Presbyterian College

· 5:00 – 5:10 pm What is the MEANING?
Karen Rhea, University of Michigan

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