Panels for January 2003 Joint Mathematics Meetings, Baltimore, Maryland

Small Group Projects in College Algebra
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small (U.S. Military Academy)
Moderator: Mercedes McGowen
Panelists:

Rich West (Francis Marion Univ.) Laurette Foster (Prairie View A\&M Univ.)
Paul Dirks (Miami-Dade Community College)
Regina Aragon (Eastern New Mexico Univ.)

The Movement to improve college algebra has focused on revising both content and pedagogy to address the needs of other disciplines, society, and the workplace. The issue of incorporating small group projects is central to revising college algebra courses. Faculty in partner disciplines as well as employers look to mathematics to provide students with experience working in small groups. Assessment, time involvement, faculty development, and objectives are some of the issues that will be discussed.

Modeling as the Central Theme in the First Two Years
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small (U.S. Military Academy)
Moderator: Gary Krahn (U.S. Military Academy)
Panelists:

Joe Myers (U.S. Military Academy)
Alexander Koonce (Univ. of Redlands)
David Arney (St. Rose College)
Mike Moody (Harvey Mudd College)

Interdisciplinary, Inquiry, Student Growth skills: communications, analysis, inquiry, use of technology.

Real world applications.

Reflections on the National Conference to Reform College Algebra
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small (U.S. Military Academy)
Moderator:
Panelists:

Phillip Mahler (Middlesex Community College)
Bernie Madison (MAA)
Benny Evans (Oklahoma State Univ.)
Paul Dirks (Miami-Dade Community College)

Traditional College Algebra is not working. That was the strong consensus of the participants in the National Conference to Improve College Algebra held at the U.S. Military Academy. This conclusion was based on the high FDW rates, outdated curriculum, small percentage of students who eventually take calculus I, and the negative impact these courses have on student perceptions of mathematics. In order to make College Algebra work, the participants recommended refocusing the courses on the needs of other disciplines, society, and the workplace. In particular, they recommended revising College Algebra courses to be real-world problem based and to include modeling with power and exponential functions, systems of equations, graphing, and difference equations. They also strongly emphasized communication skills, small group projects, and appropriate use of technology to enhance conceptual understanding, visualization, and inquiry as well as computation.

Open Discussion on First Year Course
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small (U.S. Military Academy)
Moderator: Bill Barker (Bowdoin College)
Panelists:

Linda Kime (University of Massachusetts At Boston)
Sheldon Gordon (Farmingdale Community College)

The panelists will reflect on the work of the MAA's Task Force on First Year College Level Courses and then the moderator will open the floor for discussion. Approximately 70% of college students enrolled in mathematics courses are enrolled in first year courses. Discussion is invited on both content and pedagogical issues, on the role of technology for teaching and learning, and on the purpose of these courses.