Contemporary Mathematics and Technology as a Driving Force for Change

该项目旨在将动力系统和分形几何等现代主题的概念和技术注入中学数学课程。其目的是使现有课程现代化，更充分地激发传统课题的研究。计算机、软件和相关设备为探索新的数学概念提供了工具，也为学校层面的灵活教学系统提供了机会。该项目的形式是与来自单个地区的许多教师（7-12年级）合作，而不是来自多个地区的单个教师。这是波士顿大学、贝尔蒙特学校系统和波士顿学校系统的合作成果。贝尔蒙特区的所有初中和高中以及波士顿区的四所学校都参与了该项目。从1990年夏季开始，将向这些学校的教师小组（共45人）提供一系列讨论会。这组参与者将在为期四年的项目期间继续参与。它们涉及动力系统和分形几何的基本思想，以及涉及现有技术提供的创新教学技术的教学问题。在夏季和全年的月度会议期间，教师将在大学的技术教室和计算机实验室工作。这些研讨会为教师提供了新的数学主题的知识基础以及使用该技术的实践经验。各区将仿效技术的应用，因为这是适合他们本地的情况。该项目的目标是：1)修改地区学校的数学课程，以纳入新数学，并更充分地激励学生掌握和应用传统技能；2)教师对新数学有了学习和信心，并能将新的教学策略应用于学生；3)相关学校的动态将发生变化，以更有效地为学生提供多种形式的数学学习体验。费用分摊额为371,982美元，占NSF奖金的29%。

This project seeks to infuse into the secondary school mathematics curriculum concepts and techniques from the modern topics of dynamical systems and fractal geometry. The purpose is to modernize the existing curriculum and more fully motivate the study of traditional topics. Computers, software, and related equipment provide the vehicles for exploring the new mathematics concepts as well as offer opportunities for flexible instructional systems at the school level. The project's format is to work with many teachers (grades 7-12) from single districts rather than single teachers from many districts. This is a collaborative effort between Boston University, the Belmont School System and the Boston School System. All of the junior and senior high schools in the Belmont District and four schools in the Boston District are involved in the project. Beginning in the summer of 1990, a set of seminars will be offered to teams of teachers (45 total) from these schools. This set of participants will remain with the project for its four year duration. They deal with the essential ideas from dynamical systems and fractal geometry as well as didactical issues involving innovative teaching techniques afforded by the existing technology. Teachers will work in the technology classroom and the computer labs at the university during the summer months and during monthly meetings throughout the year. The seminars provide the teachers with a knowledge base in the new mathematics topics as well as practical experience in using the technology. The districts will emulate the technology application as it is appropriate for their local situations. The goals of the project are that: 1) the mathematics curriculum at the district schools will be modified to incorporate the new mathematics as well to more fully motivate the mastery and application of traditional skills; 2) the teachers will learn and have confidence with new mathematics and be able to apply new instructional strategies with their students; and 3) the dynamics of the schools involved will change to more effectively provide mathematics learning experiences within a multiplicity of formats for their students. Costs sharing in an amount of $371,982 represents 29% of the NSF award.