LIBERAL ARTS MATHEMATICS. A PROJECT BASED APPROACH By Mark Roland Dutchess Community College

Transcription

1 LIBERAL ARTS MATHEMATICS A PROJECT BASED APPROACH By Mark Roland Dutchess Community College

2 Liberal Art Math Student? Characteristics Non Math & Science Majors Area of study may be unknown, Humanities, History, The Arts, English, Liberal Arts, etc Afraid of math, poor math skills, math anxiety May never take another mathematics class Dislikes or Hates math Would rather be doing anything other than math Math may be an obstacle in obtaining their degree

3 Math is just not exciting

4 Survey of Mathematics Catalog Description The course will allow students the opportunity to explore mathematics through interesting real life applications, as they strengthen their critical thinking and practical problem solving skills. Students will be required to use contemporary technology, perform web research and will work collaboratively throughout the course. Topics will include geometry, probability, statistics, and finance. Other topics may include history of mathematics and modern mathematical systems.

5 Textbook Using and Understanding Mathematics A Quantitative Approach By Jeffrey Bennett and William Briggs Custom Edition provided by Pearson Publishing used in all other sections: My in class sections use My Math Lab Only

6 SUNY General Education Course Objectives met by this course Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making Mathematics Reading and Writing Computers and Technology

7 Technology in the Classroom Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Graphing or Scientific Calculator Internet Online Calculators

8 Setting The Tone on the First Day Course Introduction Using Technology right from the start Ice Breaker As a discussion through DCC course management: ANGEL Math Autobiography: Handed in through an ANGEL drop box First day of class last statement If you can say at the end of the semester that you didn t hate coming to class and you learned something, then we had a successful semester

9 A familiar site in any math class

10

11 Geometry Assignment First cooperative assignment Teacher chosen groups of two or three students working together answering word problem questions that are all based upon area, perimeter, circumference, and the Pythagorean theorem.

12 Basic Geometry Area and Perimeter of Square Rectangle Triangle Trapezoid Parallelogram Rhombus Area and Circumference of the circle Pythagorean Theorem

13 Example Exercise Find the area of the triangular shaped lot in Acres.

14 Numbers in the Real World Uses and Abuses of Percentages Percent increase and Decrease 50% off and another 25% off at register =75% off Absolute and Relative Change Difference Putting Numbers in Perspective: Spending a Billion Dollars Student Example 1 Student Example 2 Student Statement: Spending 1 billion was fun, but it was definitely a lot harder than I expected. After doing this exercise, I realized just exactly how much those both are A billion dollars sure is a lot of money!

15 Test 1 Written in class part 75 points Take home section 25 points Students find 2 articles that talk about change or difference; provide summary of article, mathematical calculations and interpretation of the mathematics

16 Statistics & Probability with Microsoft Excel Creating Graphs from Data Student Example Statistics Assignment Mean, Median, Mode, Standard Deviation Normal Distribution Probability with Roulette Teacher Example

17 Student Directions Student Examples Student 1 Student 2 Stock Project

18 Financial Mathematics

19 Online Calculators Links /wave_s.html

20 On Line Calculators

21 $$Financial Mathematics$$ Personal Savings: Simple Interest Compound Interest Compounding Periods: Systematic Savings: Retirement Assignment Formula Sheet

22 $$Financial Mathematics$$ Loans Credit Card Debt Car Loans Student Loans Home Ownership Mortgages Amortization Schedule

23 Test 2 In Class Test vs. Take Home Test? Covers Statistics, Probability, and financial mathematics Required to create graphs and use amortization schedule to answer questions

24 Semester Project All general education objectives of the course are met with this project Researching Use of technology Real World Project

25 Final Exam / Final Project House Project Student Directions Student Examples Example 1 Example 2

26 Student Feedback 1. This is a great course which is actually useful, everyone should take this course 2. When I learned how to calculate how long it would take me to pay off my student loans I had to share it with my parents. They made me calculate how long it would take to pay off their mortgage. 3. I hated coming to math the first day, now its my favorite class

27 Student Feedback 1. Everything I learned I will use in everyday life. 2. One of my favorite classes, I actually learned something unlike some other classes 3. This is the first A I ever had in a math class, EVER.

28 Math can be Exciting

29 Contact Information

30 Thank You Question Comments