Session

Keynote Session by Dr. Maria Andersen: Taking the Algebra Out of College Algebra

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Keynote: Taking the Algebra out of College Algebra

Have you ever dreamed of teaching a pre-calculus level course where the algebraic manipulation is de-emphasized and the emphasis is shifted to conceptual understanding and practical skills that directly apply to transfer classes? For students to learn concepts, students need to have the time to explore and make mistakes around the concepts (not the procedures). You can teach the same curriculum and make time for active learning and concept focus, but you do have to redesign the learning and assessment while looking at the objectives through a new lens.

Photo of Maria Andersen
Photo of Maria Andersen

Bio: Dr. Andersen has spent most of her career teaching mathematics at the college level. In the last decade, she has become extremely active in the use of technology in learning. She built iPad games to teach algebra, launched the Canvas Network MOOC platform, built adaptive learning platforms used by McGraw Hill, and worked as the Director of Learning Design for WGU. As a professor, Dr. Andersen was president of MichMATYC, the Professional Development Coordinator for AMATYC, the Director of the MCC Math & Technology Workshop , and wrote the “Teaching with Tech” column for MAA Focus. Maria is a software designer, an author, a speaker, and the CEO of Coursetune. She holds degrees in Math, Chemistry, Biology, Business Administration, and Higher Education Leadership

Friday Workshop Led by Dr. Maria Andersen: Strategies for Active Learning and Assessment (with Desmos)

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A few semesters ago, I shifted completely away from graphing calculators and to the free Desmos app as the graphing and calculation technology for math classes. The students are far more comfortable and happier with Desmos but it does require shifts in classroom management, learning activities, and assessment. With technology that feels more natural to students, we can do much more exploration, focus on reasonability, and creation of real-world models (search for GraphsInTheWorld for a few examples). This focus of this workshop is on active learning, relevant learning, and assessment strategies. We’ll simply use Desmos as the common base technology for the activities. If you’ve only dabbled with Desmos or have never opened it, you’ll be fine – we start from scratch.

Photo of Maria Andersen
Photo of Maria Andersen

Bio: Dr. Andersen has spent most of her career teaching mathematics at the college level. In the last decade, she has become extremely active in the use of technology in learning. She built iPad games to teach algebra, launched the Canvas Network MOOC platform, built adaptive learning platforms used by McGraw Hill, and worked as the Director of Learning Design for WGU. As a professor, Dr. Andersen was president of MichMATYC, the Professional Development Coordinator for AMATYC, the Director of the MCC Math & Technology Workshop , and wrote the “Teaching with Tech” column for MAA Focus. Maria is a software designer, an author, a speaker, and the CEO of Coursetune. She holds degrees in Math, Chemistry, Biology, Business Administration, and Higher Education Leadership.

Quantitative Reasoning: A Corequisite Team-Taught Approach

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Presenters: Erik Brown and Sara Main, Jackson College

Summary: With the mandate to eliminate stand-alone developmental math courses, Jackson College created a corequisite model delivered by a pair of instructors. Strengths and challenges of the new model will be shared with success data from three semesters of teaching this course.

Creating the “Supply Drop” Room

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Presenters: Elizabeth Clifford and Marshall Cowell, Lansing Community College

Summary: Lansing Community College has a new initiative to provide additional academic support to all students. The LCC Learning Commons (tutoting center) developed one-hour workshops to help developmental algebra and entry level college math students review prerequisite math concepts. This transitioned into a safe and more flexible space focusing on meeting student needs in a just-in-time manner. We will discuss initial difficulty in student engagement and how our revised service model engages more students. We will present data on student attendance and feedback on what has made this space valuable and helped students succeed in their courses.

You Want Me to Do What? The Write-a-Test Assignment

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Presenter: Anna Cox, Kellogg Community College

Summary:  In my calculus courses and sometimes in college algebra, students write a test, make an answer key, and learn how to learn. Many interesting comments have been made from students over the years with this assignment. I will share their reactions and how this assignment has changed student behaviors in my students. My assignment will be shared and hopefully you can brainstorm to make it even better! This is a great assignment that allows students to get valuable experience on the work involved in writing a truly great test.