Proceedings of the Developmental Math Workshop

UW Colleges

January 21, 2004

 

The 11th annual Developmental Math Workshop was held at UW Fox Valley on January 21, 2004. George Alexander and the Developmental Math Committee provided the agenda for the workshop. Mary Skatrud and Sue Benedict provided room and food arrangements (thank you!). Informal discussions began over coffee and rolls as people started arriving after 8:30am. A total of 21 developmental math instructors made it for the day.

 

Developmental Math Program Report

Program Assessment results, data highlights. George Alexander distributed copies of the new 2004 annual report on the Developmental Math Program and shared highlights from the program assessment data. This report also served as a basis for discussion of previous assessment results for MAT 09x, Elementary Algebra.

Discussion: Course Assessment Needs: MAT 09x

Initially, we began discussions of course assessment needs and results from previous semesters. Participants were in agreement over the need to standardize the MAT 09x assessment test and require participation from all course sections. We broke into small groups to discuss individual course objectives and write sample questions for the new assessment test. We agreed on a 21 question format testing low, medium and high proficiency in each of the seven course outcome goals. George Alexander will compile a sample test from these and distribute information to instructors by the start of the semester. George will also prepare both written and online versions of the test so that instructors can choose the mode of participation by the end of the semester. The online test will be developed in the Desire2Learn site for the Online MAT 09x Learning Lab.

Shared Ideas Session – various UWC presenters

Primary topic: uses for computer applications in developmental math

Jamie Thomas (Manitowoc) shared her experiences with using MathXL for assigning homework in MAT 105 intermediate algebra. Students can access this product online after purchasing an access code (can be bundled free with new text purchase). Homework parallels exercises in an Addison-Wesley textbook, but can be repeated (with newly generated values) for extra practice.

 

John Morris (Fond du Lac) showed us how to create graphs using Microsoft Excel. He has a nice template file that he is willing to share. This includes directions for drawing your own graphs or building off his examples. He also described some uses for graphing and gave examples of realistic applications.

 

George Alexander discussed some of the advantages and disadvantages of various web-based or downloadable software graphing utilities. There are various freeware and inexpensive programs that can draw basic coordinate graphs or grids. Some programs work in tandem with Microsoft Word so that it is easy to integrate graphs into Word documents. Others allow copy and paste into Word or other document processors. You will need to try a few to find out what fits your needs the best. Contact George if you would like a reference list.

 

Course Assessment Needs: MAT 090, MAT 081 (split into interest groups)

Two groups continued the assessment discussions by examining needs for our other two developmental math courses: MAT 090 Basic Mathematics and MAT 08x Topics in Geometry.

 

Workshop Participants:

George Alexander (RCK)

Barb Bendlin (RCK)

Sue Benedict (FOX)

Cathy Bengtson (WAK)

Alice Bishop (BRB)

Jan Cain (MSF)

Bill Christian (BRB)

Ed Clemons (FOX)

Dee Ann Dewitt (FOX)

Darwin Dorn (WSH)

Joanne Juedes (MTH)

LaVerne Harrison (MSF)

Steve Martinson (MTH)

John Morris (FDL)

Barb Nielsen (MNT)

Victoria Paaske (WAK)

Sue Poquette (MNT)

Mary Skatrud (FOX)

Jamie Thomas (MAN)

Phil Walkenhorst (SHB)

Brad Weiss (RCK)

 

 

Updated 2/2/2004

George Alexander

Developmental Math Coordinator

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