Spring 2015 Spring Conference
The Saturday Program
Lunch and Keynote Presentation
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Speaker: John Martin, Santa Rosa Junior College Title: A Piece of Pi Abstract: Through the ages, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, which we call π, has fascinated mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike. In this presentation we will explore the history, the mysteries, and the controversies surrounding this famous number. |
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9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Accelerated Pathways through Mathematics at Palomar College
Speakers: John Harland and Wendy Metzger, Palomar College
Palomar College has introduced four accelerated pathways through the mathematics curriculum, leading to Intermediate Algebra, Statistics, College Algebra (and other transfer-level courses), and Calculus. These pathways will be described, and success data will be presented. Details such as course content, pedagogy, recruitment, student support services, and program development will be addressed.
Demystifying the Production of Dynamic Videos: Five Easy Steps to Creating Engaging Math Films
Speakers: Rachel Winston, Cerro Coso College and Michelle Tahan
Video recording/editing technology has been available for some time, yet the barriers to entry (camera, hardware, software, scriptwriting, and web presence) prohibit most people from using video in their classroom. This presentation will walk you through the process of film construction. Audience volunteers will assist in making a video during the presentation.
A Visual path from z to t to ANOVA
Speaker: Tuyetdong Phan-Yamada, Glendale College
This talk will demonstrate a statistics project in which students infer the percentage of left-handed people in the general population from a convenience sample of people carrying out a digital manipulation task using their right or left hand. Attendees will be given free Statistics apps. Bring your laptop!
A Brief History of Modern Mathematical Symbols
Speaker: Jeremiah A. Gilbert, Ph. D, San Bernardino Valley College
In this presentation, we will document the earliest known uses of several modern mathematical symbols. Curious when long division was first written in its (near) present form or who added the vinculum to the radical symbol? Then this presentation is for you.
The MAA-CSPCC Study: Two-Year Colleges Findings
Speaker: Helen Burn, Highline College
Understanding how institutions manage to keep students in the calculus track is an issue of national importance. This was the impetus behind the study of Characteristics of Successful Programs in College Calculus undertaken by the MAA. This session presents findings from the four two-year colleges included in the national study.
Teaching a Prestatistics Course: Propelling Non-STEM Students Forward
Speaker: Jay Lehmann, College of San Mateo
Many colleges are propelling non-STEM students through math programs by creating a path-to-stats course, which can be taken in place of elementary and intermediate algebra. Often at least six units, the course actually allows time for rigorous treatment of linear and exponential functions. Innovative, intensive work with density histograms—sorely lacking in statistics courses—lays the foundation for the key topics probability and normal curves, which are addressed in the course. Challenging data-centered exercises and interpretation of statistical concepts can greatly enhance students’ understanding and eventual success in an introductory statistics course.
Speakers: John Harland and Wendy Metzger, Palomar College
Palomar College has introduced four accelerated pathways through the mathematics curriculum, leading to Intermediate Algebra, Statistics, College Algebra (and other transfer-level courses), and Calculus. These pathways will be described, and success data will be presented. Details such as course content, pedagogy, recruitment, student support services, and program development will be addressed.
Demystifying the Production of Dynamic Videos: Five Easy Steps to Creating Engaging Math Films
Speakers: Rachel Winston, Cerro Coso College and Michelle Tahan
Video recording/editing technology has been available for some time, yet the barriers to entry (camera, hardware, software, scriptwriting, and web presence) prohibit most people from using video in their classroom. This presentation will walk you through the process of film construction. Audience volunteers will assist in making a video during the presentation.
A Visual path from z to t to ANOVA
Speaker: Tuyetdong Phan-Yamada, Glendale College
This talk will demonstrate a statistics project in which students infer the percentage of left-handed people in the general population from a convenience sample of people carrying out a digital manipulation task using their right or left hand. Attendees will be given free Statistics apps. Bring your laptop!
A Brief History of Modern Mathematical Symbols
Speaker: Jeremiah A. Gilbert, Ph. D, San Bernardino Valley College
In this presentation, we will document the earliest known uses of several modern mathematical symbols. Curious when long division was first written in its (near) present form or who added the vinculum to the radical symbol? Then this presentation is for you.
The MAA-CSPCC Study: Two-Year Colleges Findings
Speaker: Helen Burn, Highline College
Understanding how institutions manage to keep students in the calculus track is an issue of national importance. This was the impetus behind the study of Characteristics of Successful Programs in College Calculus undertaken by the MAA. This session presents findings from the four two-year colleges included in the national study.
Teaching a Prestatistics Course: Propelling Non-STEM Students Forward
Speaker: Jay Lehmann, College of San Mateo
Many colleges are propelling non-STEM students through math programs by creating a path-to-stats course, which can be taken in place of elementary and intermediate algebra. Often at least six units, the course actually allows time for rigorous treatment of linear and exponential functions. Innovative, intensive work with density histograms—sorely lacking in statistics courses—lays the foundation for the key topics probability and normal curves, which are addressed in the course. Challenging data-centered exercises and interpretation of statistical concepts can greatly enhance students’ understanding and eventual success in an introductory statistics course.
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Making Waves in Multivariable Calculus
Speaker: John Thoo, Yuba College
In calculus textbooks, a common exercise is to verify that a given function u(x,t) = f(x-ct) satisfies the wave equation. The mathematical theory of waves in fact is a rich source of PDEs that are accessible to students taking multivariable calculus. We present suitable examples---that include traveling waves, solitons, shocks, and tsunamis---that can enrich a multivariable calculus class or used in an entire adjunct weekly workshop for students.
Informal Inference
Speaker: Monica Dabos, College of the Canyons
I will be presenting tools and activities to enrich the understanding of formal Inference through informal inference. I will demonstrate how to help students develop a conceptual understanding so that they can predict whether the p-value will be low or high without any math. Moreover, I will provide special tools I use to help students choose the appropriate statistical test for a given data set.
Date-Eating Camels, Escalators, and More
Speaker: Mark Hugen, Cerritos College
A set of nontraditional problems will be presented covering topics in algebra, geometry, probability, and more. Audience members will be encouraged to pick a problem, or problems, to work on either individually or in a group. Solutions will be shared at the end.
Math and Music
Speaker: Cheryl Ooten, Emerita Santa Ana College
Explore math-music connections using fractions and equations that allow non- musicians and musicians alike to build basic math skills while creating and experiencing musical rhythms. Whether you are a musician or not, you will leave this workshop with a fun, applied math experience that can quickly engage students in math appreciation.
SLAM - A non-traditional path to Stats
Speakers: Linda Hintzman and Roger Yang, Pasadena City College
Pasadena City College recently created a new approach to preparing basic skills students for Statistics and Liberal Arts Math. Learn more about what we did (a 2 semester sequence that replaces Pre, Beg, and Int Algebra), how we did it (lots of hard work & fun), why we did it (because our students deserve it) and how it's going (GREAT).
Passing the Baton to the Next Generation: Nurturing New Faculty
Speakers: MaryAnne Anthony and Lynn Marecek, Santa Ana College
Community colleges are in the midst of a generational shift among their faculty, as baby boomers retire and millennials take their places. This session will help departments ease the transition by sharing strategies that develop and nurture new faculty, while also passing on their history, culture, visions and pedagogical values.
Speaker: John Thoo, Yuba College
In calculus textbooks, a common exercise is to verify that a given function u(x,t) = f(x-ct) satisfies the wave equation. The mathematical theory of waves in fact is a rich source of PDEs that are accessible to students taking multivariable calculus. We present suitable examples---that include traveling waves, solitons, shocks, and tsunamis---that can enrich a multivariable calculus class or used in an entire adjunct weekly workshop for students.
Informal Inference
Speaker: Monica Dabos, College of the Canyons
I will be presenting tools and activities to enrich the understanding of formal Inference through informal inference. I will demonstrate how to help students develop a conceptual understanding so that they can predict whether the p-value will be low or high without any math. Moreover, I will provide special tools I use to help students choose the appropriate statistical test for a given data set.
Date-Eating Camels, Escalators, and More
Speaker: Mark Hugen, Cerritos College
A set of nontraditional problems will be presented covering topics in algebra, geometry, probability, and more. Audience members will be encouraged to pick a problem, or problems, to work on either individually or in a group. Solutions will be shared at the end.
Math and Music
Speaker: Cheryl Ooten, Emerita Santa Ana College
Explore math-music connections using fractions and equations that allow non- musicians and musicians alike to build basic math skills while creating and experiencing musical rhythms. Whether you are a musician or not, you will leave this workshop with a fun, applied math experience that can quickly engage students in math appreciation.
SLAM - A non-traditional path to Stats
Speakers: Linda Hintzman and Roger Yang, Pasadena City College
Pasadena City College recently created a new approach to preparing basic skills students for Statistics and Liberal Arts Math. Learn more about what we did (a 2 semester sequence that replaces Pre, Beg, and Int Algebra), how we did it (lots of hard work & fun), why we did it (because our students deserve it) and how it's going (GREAT).
Passing the Baton to the Next Generation: Nurturing New Faculty
Speakers: MaryAnne Anthony and Lynn Marecek, Santa Ana College
Community colleges are in the midst of a generational shift among their faculty, as baby boomers retire and millennials take their places. This session will help departments ease the transition by sharing strategies that develop and nurture new faculty, while also passing on their history, culture, visions and pedagogical values.
2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Flipping 101: How to Flip your Mathematics Course to Engage All Students
Speaker: Cherie Ichinose, CSU Fullerton
Have you thought about “flipping” your mathematics course? Participants will actively engage in a discussion surrounding the preparation, development and execution of a flipped course. We will discuss the benefits and challenges. Finally, during this session we will discuss research and results from a Flipped College Algebra course.
Engaging Students Outside of the Classroom
Speakers: Larry Perez and Patrick Quigley, Saddleback College
This presentation will discuss the "Week of Workshops" (WOW) event and the formation of the "Society of American Military Engineers" (SAME) student chapter at Saddleback College. The WOW event is an in-service for students preparing them for the semester. The SAME student chapter supports students academically and coordinates STEM outreach/internships.
Use Tablets in the Classroom!
Speakers: Patty George and Mojdeh Nikdel, Cerritos College
Turn your PowerPoint lessons into interactive learning experiences! Have students write the solutions for sample exams! Enhance interactive learning in your math classes through the use of tablets. Explore free or low cost apps that you can use to design lessons that allow the students to actively engage in mathematics. If you have one available, please bring a laptop or tablet.
Teaching Problem Solving in the Context of Common Core
Speaker: Jack Appleman, Irvine Valley College
The Common Core standards put renewed emphasis on applying mathematical methods to real-world problem solving. This presentation describes how to use the common “murder mystery” narrative to teach students to use math methods from algebra, calculus, and statistics in problem solving.
Department Coordinator’s Forum
Speaker: Mark Greenhalgh, Fullerton College
Department coordinators are invited to meet to discuss issues such as class scheduling, recruitment and retainment of adjunct faculty, evaluations, and other items of common interest.
Handling Administrative Challenges of Teaching
Speaker: Jeffrey Saikali, San Diego Miramar College
In this discussion, we will share ideas on handling various administrative issues faced by all faculty members in post-secondary settings. These include attendance, personal electronic equipment in the classroom, assigning grades, academic dishonesty, physical/psychological emergencies, and more. As time permits, attendees will be invited to share their experiences on what they have found to work and provide sensible cautionary advice. Everyone (from newer faculty members to those with many years in the classroom) is welcome to attend.
Speaker: Cherie Ichinose, CSU Fullerton
Have you thought about “flipping” your mathematics course? Participants will actively engage in a discussion surrounding the preparation, development and execution of a flipped course. We will discuss the benefits and challenges. Finally, during this session we will discuss research and results from a Flipped College Algebra course.
Engaging Students Outside of the Classroom
Speakers: Larry Perez and Patrick Quigley, Saddleback College
This presentation will discuss the "Week of Workshops" (WOW) event and the formation of the "Society of American Military Engineers" (SAME) student chapter at Saddleback College. The WOW event is an in-service for students preparing them for the semester. The SAME student chapter supports students academically and coordinates STEM outreach/internships.
Use Tablets in the Classroom!
Speakers: Patty George and Mojdeh Nikdel, Cerritos College
Turn your PowerPoint lessons into interactive learning experiences! Have students write the solutions for sample exams! Enhance interactive learning in your math classes through the use of tablets. Explore free or low cost apps that you can use to design lessons that allow the students to actively engage in mathematics. If you have one available, please bring a laptop or tablet.
Teaching Problem Solving in the Context of Common Core
Speaker: Jack Appleman, Irvine Valley College
The Common Core standards put renewed emphasis on applying mathematical methods to real-world problem solving. This presentation describes how to use the common “murder mystery” narrative to teach students to use math methods from algebra, calculus, and statistics in problem solving.
Department Coordinator’s Forum
Speaker: Mark Greenhalgh, Fullerton College
Department coordinators are invited to meet to discuss issues such as class scheduling, recruitment and retainment of adjunct faculty, evaluations, and other items of common interest.
Handling Administrative Challenges of Teaching
Speaker: Jeffrey Saikali, San Diego Miramar College
In this discussion, we will share ideas on handling various administrative issues faced by all faculty members in post-secondary settings. These include attendance, personal electronic equipment in the classroom, assigning grades, academic dishonesty, physical/psychological emergencies, and more. As time permits, attendees will be invited to share their experiences on what they have found to work and provide sensible cautionary advice. Everyone (from newer faculty members to those with many years in the classroom) is welcome to attend.
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