92.520 Mathematical Problem Solving


Instructor: Ken Levasseur
Office OS221
Phone: (978) 934-2414
Kenneth_Levasseur@uml.edu

Text

Principles of Mathematical Problem Solving by Erickson & Flowers, Prentice Hall, 1999

Class Date Topics/Events

  1. Monday, July 19
  2. Tuesday, July 20
  3. Wednesday, July 21
  4. Thursday, July 22
  5. Friday, July 23
  6. Monday, July 26
  7. Tuesday, July 27
  8. Wednesday, July 28
  9. Thursday, July 29
  10. Friday, July 30

Objectives

The main objective of this course is to to increase the participants' mathematics activity. I will consider the course a success if everyone is doing mathematics problems in their spare time this fall (while watching football games, driving to work, raking leaves, etc.). A further objective to support the development of professional development efforts in mathematics at your schools through the BRC program.

Grading:

Grades will be based on quality of assignments and class participation.

Assignments


  1. Design a module for a course.
    Design a module that could be used to teach a specific topic in mathematics with an emphasis on enhancing problem-solving skills over roughly a week's worth of class periods

    Parts of the module:

    1. The course and grade level that your module would be used in. The mathematical sophistication should match your proposed level.
    2. A statement of objectives. What mathematics do you want your students to learn?
    3. An outline of the resources that the instructor would need to provide to the students. This would be relatively short since it could be routine textbook material. You can cite a specific part of a textbook. If you do so, photocopy the pages to be included in your finished module.
    4. One discussion question - an open ended question to be posed to students and be a catalyst for further questions and definitions.
    5. Two problems that whose solution have a connection with the resources in part three. Identify the heuristic strategy(s) that might be used to solve each problem. The strategies for the two problems shouldn't be identical.
    6. A plan for assessing your success in meeting your goals.

    Deadlines for the Module Project

    July 22: Submit proposed topic for module. All that I need at this point is a short (1-2 sentence?) description of your topic. This can be hand-written
    July 29: Oral presentation: Prepare a short ten-minute description of your module to present to the class. Focus on the objectives, assessment plans and how the module will tie in with this course. The reason for these presentations is to share ideas before you go off on your own to work on them, so be prepared to ask questions!
    August 16: Your completed module is due on this date.

  2. Do a problem from a recent MAA Journal You will get photocopies of problems to choose from. Keep a journal that documents your attempts and turn it in to me together with a summary of your progress. Carefully analyze how you attempted to solve the problem over the two week period. The journal should be hand-written, but try to keep it neat.