Active Learning Strategies Inside and Outside the Mathematics Classroom

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Active Learning Strategies Inside and Outside
the Mathematics Classroom
Julie Miller Daytona State College
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Goals for today

• Outline the use of preliminary activities to help
  students prepare for class
• Discuss the use of video lecture outside of class
• Create a Camtasia video from start to finish

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The Need for Change

• From 2000 2004, enrollment in developmental
  mathematics at DSC steadily decreased
• The college collected data from past, present,
  and future students regarding primary obstacles
  to success
• The college identified and interviewed students
  who had begun their math sequence, but then
  dropped out of school

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Survey Results

• Students in developmental math overwhelmed by
  the amount of time to complete their math
  sequence.
• The mean amount of time that students spent on
  math homework per week was less than 1.6 hr.
• Students who tried to study at home said they got
  stuck and frustrated.

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What We Did

• Class meets for 8 weeks, 4 days per week for 1½
  hours per day.
• Lecture is condensed to 20 minutes at the
  beginning of the period.
• Students work on mandatory assignments for the
  remaining part of class. These are graded daily.
• Implemented a mandatory lab.

(Immersion)
(Minimize passive part of learning)
(Active Learning)
Class time Lab time 7 hours of active
practice
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Attendance
29 Students
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Completion Rates
New Course Delivery
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Strategies to Save Class Time

• Use preliminary worksheets for discovery
• Use video content outside of class
• This leave more time in class for group work and
  hands-on practice

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• Introduction to Complex Fractions
• Add 2. Subtract
• Divide
• Simplify the complex fraction
• by using the order of
• operations
• Simplify the complex fraction
• by using the order of operations

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39
-4

• Multiply 7. Multiply
• Simplify the complex fraction by multiplying
  numerator and denominator of the big fraction
  by the LCD of all individual fractions. That is,
• 
  
• 9. Simplify the complex fraction by multiplying
  numerator and denominator of the big fraction
  by the LCD of all individual fractions. That is,
• 
  

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Multiplying Radical Expressions Square each
expression. 1. (a b)2 2. (a b)2 3.
(a 5)2 4. (5w 4)2 5.
6. 7.
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Multiplying Binomials Puzzle Complete the table.
Show all work on a separate sheet of paper.
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Squaring Binomials Puzzle Complete the table.
Show all work on a separate sheet of paper.
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Multiplying Conjugates Puzzle Complete the
table. Show all work on a separate sheet of paper.
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Creating a Function Repertoire
1. y x
2. y x2
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Creating a Function Repertoire
3. y x3
4. y x
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Creating a Function Repertoire
5. y
6. y
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Future Possibilities

• Create a library of lecture videos for students
  to watch for homework.
• Do practice problems in class where the
  instructor can help.

(Reverse the role of lecture and homework)
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What is Camtasia?

• Screen capture software that allows the user to
  record, edit, and share screen video content.

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Applications for Recording

• PowerPoint
• TI-Smartview (graphing calculator emulator)
• Tablet (write lectures directly on screen)
• Flash
• Maple
• Excel
• Other

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Lecture Video Using Tablet PC

• Record lecture videos.
• Post videos and accompanying PDF file for notes.
• Students watch videos for homework with
  accompanying worksheet.
• Video library available for
• students who miss class or
• need reinforcement.

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Video Homework
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(No Transcript)
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Other Video Applications

• Graphing Calculator Videos
• PowerPoint Videos
• Videos to summarize course policies
• iPod videos

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Contact Information

• Julie Miller
• millerj_at_DaytonaState.edu