Describes a mentoring program that was used to train additional faculty to teach a new course in geometry for elementary education majors. (Author/MM)

Presents the findings of a study on the learning experiences of undergraduates enrolled in a writing-intensive algebra course. The study revealed that writing activities are successful in terms of facilitating student comprehension of mathematical content. The use of words allows student writers to gain ownership of the algebraic content. (DDR)

Hypermedia provides an easy-to-use option for adding visualization, via the computer, to the classroom. Some examples of this medium are presented, including applications in basic linear algebra and calculus, and a tutorial in electromagnetism. (Author)

Presents eight techniques for teaching undergraduate mathematics whose main aims are (1) learning how to pose problems in an easier and more attractive form; (2) fostering usage of mathematical symbolism; and (3) checking the level of comprehension of the principal ideas. Examples illustrate each technique. (Author/MDH)

Presents examples of questions and answers arising from a hands-on and exploratory approach to discrete mathematics using cuisenaire rods. Combinatorial questions about trains formed of cuisenaire rods provide the setting for discovering numerical patterns by experimentation and organizing the results using induction and successive differences.…

Offers calculus students and teachers the opportunity to motivate and discover the first Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTC) in an experimental, experiential, inductive, intuitive, vernacular-based manner. Starting from the observation that a distance traveled at a constant speed corresponds to the area inside a rectangle, the FTC is discovered,…

Presents one model for a liberal arts mathematics course that combines probability and calculus. Describes activities utilized in the course to heighten students' interest and encourage student involvement. Activities include use of visualization, take-home tests, group problem solving, research papers, and computer usage with DERIVE computer…

Describes numerical differentiation and the central difference formula in numerical analysis. Presents three computer programs that approximate the first derivative of a function utilizing the central difference formula. Analyzes conditions under which the approximation formula is exact. (MDH)

Computational environments that provide integrated numeric, symbolic, and graphical capabilities provide new opportunities for laboratories in Numerical Analysis. Hermite interpolation is one topic that can benefit from such an environment. Describes a laboratory session using Mathematica that allows students to actively experience Hermite…

Examines infinite sets and cardinality classifications of empty, finite but not empty, and infinite through discussions of numbers that fall into particular categories. Categories discussed include perfect numbers, Mersenne primes, pseudoprimes, and transcendental numbers. Discusses the Null Or Infinite Set Effect (NOISE) and infinitude resulting…

Describes the current practice of the senior seminar at Ball State University and reflects on how the seminar has benefited both faculty and student participants. (Author/MM)

Describes a student/faculty research project as one example in an area that appears to offer other opportunities for undergraduate research. Investigates whether people tend to prefer the rectangular shape known as the golden rectangle to other rectangular shapes. (Author/MM)

Discusses experiences teaching mathematics courses in a lecture-free, discussion-based seminar format at all levels of the traditional undergraduate mathematics curriculum. Presents methods for motivating, instructing, and supporting student efforts toward independent reading of mathematical text. Provides a non-scientific assessment of the…

Describes the senior seminar in mathematics at Hood College which is a course in the history of mathematics. It is a student-led seminar with students gaining practice in oral presentation, preparing visual aids, and planning a class. (Author/MM)

Describes an activity designed to help students develop a good foundation from the beginning of the transition from multivariate calculus to linear algebra. (MM)