Planning Grant to develop a Center for the Enhancement of Mathematics & Science Teacher Education through Advanced Technologies

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9354371 Pellegrino Faculty at Vanderbilt University are developing a new course, Computer Algebra Systems in Mathematical Modeling, that is open to any student who has had at least one semester of calculus. The course has two primary objectives: (1) to introduce students to a computer algebra system (CAS); and (2) to use this technology to investigate applications that are accessible to all undergraduates who have some calculus background. Besides the development of the course, this project serves as one of the planning exercises for the creation of the Vanderbilt University Center for the Enhancement of Mathematics and Science Teacher Education through Advanced Technologies (CEMSTEAT). The new course emphasizes applying mathematics to problems that arise in the real world. Modules for the course are being developed and will be assembled into a course supplement. These modules treat applications in the natural and social sciences. The development team is employing the expertise of the Learning Technology Center at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Experts at the Center are advising the development team on how multimedia and other technology components can be used. The development team is consulting also with faculty members in the sciences and teacher education in choosing applications that meet the needs of their students. Evaluation of the course addresses three issues: (1) the nature of student and faculty use of a CAS and mathematical concepts in conjunction with the proposed modules; (2) student learning and understanding of mathematical modeling; and (3) students' applications of the CAS to modeling and other mathematical concepts. As activities of CEMSTEAT, the materials and knowledge of student learning developed are available to a national audience. ***y