Panels for 2004 Joint Mathematics Meetings, Phoenix, AZ

Assessment in a Refocused College Algebra Program
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small, U.S. Military Academy
Moderator: Norma Agras (Miami-Dade Community College)
Panelists:

Alex Fluellen (Clark Atlanta Univ. Paul Dirks) address sm. group activities
Laurette Foster (Prairie View A & M University) address communication skills
Bruce Crauder (Oklahoma State University) address (regular) testing

Refocusing college algebra to emphasize modeling/problem solving, communications skills, and conceptual understanding requires changing the focus and means of assessment. The lack of suitable assessment tools and guidelines is often a barrier to implementing change. For example: How does one assess student's development of modeling/problem solving, communication skills, or conceptual understanding? The speakers will address these particular questions as well as others.

How to Implement Curriculum Change
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small, U.S. Military Academy
Moderator: Gary Krahn (U.S. Military Academy)
Panelists:

Mike Moody (Olin University)
Steve Maurer (Swarthmore College)
Jeff Floyd (Texas A & M University)

The past fifteen years has been a time of change in undergraduate mathematics. Expectantly, there will be continued improvements to college algebra, precalculus, calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and other courses. Accessibility of new technologies, advances in learning research, and accountability to the work place have fueled the reform efforts. The panelists will share their experiences and expertise in implementing change.

How to Assess Problem Solving
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small, U.S. Military Academy
Moderator: Kathi Snook
Panelists:

Jack Bookman (Duke University)
Alex Heidenberg (U.S. Military Academy)
Bill Haver (Virginia Commonwealth University) Bonnie Gold (Monmouth University)

Developing problem solving skills in the modeling sense is a central component in refocusing courses to emphasize process, conceptual understanding, and student growth. Assessing the extent to which a student achieves the goal of becoming a competent and confident problem solver is a very difficult. The panelists will share their experience and expertise in addressing this type of assessment.

The Impact of Laptop Computers on Classroom Instruction
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small, U.S. Military Academy
Moderator: Joe Myers (U.S. Military Academy)
Panelists:

Mike Huber (U.S. Military Academy)
Allen Broughton (Rose Hulman Institute of Technology)
Jim Rolfe (U.S. Air Force Academy)

Laptop computers are changing many, if not all aspects, of instruction. For example, is hand computation of derivatives and integrals an essential part of a calculus course in which students have laptop computers? What approximation skills are required to validate the output of computer algebra systems? How does the use of laptop computers effect testing? The panelist will discuss curricula impact of students using laptops in the classroom. They will share their experiences and lessons-learned.

Open Discussion on Beginning Level Courses
Sponsor: CRAFTY
Organizer: Don Small, U.S. Military Academy
Moderator: Jack Bookman (Duke University)
Panelists:

Norma Agras (Miami-Dade Community College)
Bob Mayes (West Virginia University)

An explosion of interest in the role of beginning level courses has arisen within the past few years. The recognition that the large majority of students enrolled in mathematics are in the beginning level courses and the awareness that these courses are not successfully serving a "feeder" function into other mathematics courses has led to questions concerning their roles, content, and pedagogy.