1. Select a topic for your paper. A list of possible topics is appended, but you may choose any reasonable topic concerned with mathematics education. Send the title of your topic to the above e-mail address for approval. This must be done before the end of September.
  2. (You can do 2 and 3 in any order.) After your topic has been approved, locate at least two web sites concerned with mathematics education, and write a 1- 2 page paper describing what information that you have found that is relevant to your topic, and what other useful information you found. One of these web sites should be the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) website. This paper must include references to the websites, and must be submitted electronically to the above e-mail address. This must be done by the middle of October.
  3. (You can do 2 and 3 in any order.) Find at least two books or journal articles in the library that are relevant to your topic, and write a 1 - 2 page article describing what you found and how you will use it. You might also mention other potentially useful sources of information that you uncovered. Your paper must include references and must be submitted electronically to the above e-mail address. This must be done by the middle of October.
  4. Find two articles in current newspapers or general news magazines concerned with mathematics education. For each of them, write a 1 - 2 page paper giving your reaction to the article. These papers must be submitted in hard copy.
  5. Write an eight to ten page research paper, using standard margins and double spaced, on your topic. The first draft of this paper must be submitted no later than November 21, 2002. The submission can be either electronic or hard copy. The final draft must be submitted no later than December 13, which is the last day of class.

    A draft of your paper can be discussed at any time. I will be happy to meet with you at a time convenient to both of us.

    Suggested reference for the writing of your paper:

    MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers by

    Joseph Gibaldi.

    Required reading: MLA Workbook for Writers of Research Papers

    by Joseph Gibaldi

    Your references for the paper can include primary and secondary research. Examples of secondary research would include printed books, educational publications, articles in newspapers or articles from periodicals and recent journals. The MLA Handbook will be an excellent source for developing your research paper, its footnotes, and its bibliography. The World Wide Web electronic publications need to be cited in your footnotes as per the MLA Handbook. You must use at least two library sources; that is sources other than the web, TV, newspapers, or non-professional periodicals.

    Your topic must be related to mathematics education. A list of possible topics is appended below, but you may choose one of your own.

    You may work in groups on your papers. That is, it is OK to have two or more students working together on related but distinct topics, and working together in finding library and other resources. However, your paper must be your own, and in your own words; you must write it yourself.

    Some Possible Topics

    Alternative Education: Helping the low achiever succeed in mathematics.

    Assessing mathematics achievement

    Managing the mathematics classroom

    Maintaining discipline in an unpopular subject

    How to teach problem solving

    Working in groups; homogeneous vs. heterogeneous groupings

    Do uniform exams stifle creativity

    Teaching styles vs. learning styles: does everyone learn the same way?

    Implementing State Standards in the Math Curriculum

    Coping with the low achiever - math anxiety

    Coping with the high achiever - enrichment

    At what point should students be permitted to use calculators?

    The use and misuse of graphing calculators

    Regents exams vs. Math A , B

    Student attitudes towards Mathematics and Mathematicians

    Study Skills for Students-Does it improve math retention?

    Women in Mathematics

    OBJECTIVES

  1. The students will become familiar with a variety of print and electronic resources and how to use and document these sources.
  2. Students will use current publications and research and so become familiar with national and local standards relating to mathematics instruction.
  3. Students will become aware of how to implement inter-disciplinary materials.
  4. Students will become familiar with professional organizations and be made aware of the community of mathematics educators as well as how to use the resources of these organizations.

    NOTE: If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, I would urge that you contact the staff in the Disabled Student Services office (DSS), Room 133 Humanities, 632-6748/TDD. DSS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential. Note that we cannot make special arrangements for students with disabilities except for those determined by DSS.