Interactive Online Modules and Take-Home Assignments for Inquiry-Learning to Provide First-Hand Experience in Matrix Algebra Course

用于探究学习的交互式在线模块和带回家的作业，提供矩阵代数课程的第一手经验

• 批准号: 0737485
• 负责人: Hamide Dogan-Dunlap
• 金额: $ 14.99万
• 依托单位: University of Texas at El Paso
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-06-01 至 2010-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0737485&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Interactive; Online; Modules; Take; Home

Mathematical Sciences (21) This project is developing interactive, online modules and inquiry activities to support traditional lecture-based matrix algebra courses. These online interactive inquiry activities are being developed using Mathematica and WebMathematica, with the goal that they will both enrich students' experience in matrix algebra and benefit them in subsequent courses. This project is a pivotal step in integrating technology into all mathematics courses offered at University of Texas at El Paso. Students will work outside of class to complete interactive online modules before being exposed in the classroom to the formal definition of matrix concepts. Thus they will have the first-hand knowledge they need to understand the highly abstract concepts introduced in class as second-hand knowledge. Intellectual Merit: This project is testing the efficacy of a new way of teaching matrix algebra. There are several reports in the literature documenting the use of computer-based, inquiry-learning activities within the matrix algebra classroom during class time. However, there is often not enough time during the typical class period for such experimental activities. This project studies the relationship between improved student learning and inquiry learning experiences provided outside of class. The hypothesis is that carefully designed inquiry activities assigned as take-home will give students the first-hand knowledge they need to understand the abstract information that will be provided in the classroom. Mastery will be measured via assessment instruments that focus on both procedural and conceptual knowledge of basic abstract concepts in matrix algebra. Broader Impact: Providing tools for improving the ability of students to learn abstract concepts will have a broad impact on post-secondary mathematics education. Increasingly, non-mathematics majors, particularly engineering and science majors, enroll in first-year matrix or linear algebra courses. But many of these students are not prepared for the high level of abstraction common in such courses, leading to low pass rates nationwide. The new modules and take-home assignments will be available on a website that will be linked to the National Science Digital Library so that they can be used in programs across the country. While the project focuses on matrix algebra, the core ideas of the materials can be adapted to other important topics in mathematics. Finally, the assessment instruments will collect demographic data to determine the effects of the materials on improved learning in diverse student populations. Since UTEP has a student population that is more than 72 percent Hispanic, the materials will be tested on a rapidly-growing population in both Texas and the nation as a whole.

数学科学（21）该项目正在开发互动式在线模块和探究活动，以支持传统的基于讲座的矩阵代数课程。这些在线交互式探究活动正在使用Mathematica和WebMathematica开发，其目标是丰富学生在矩阵代数方面的经验，并使他们在随后的课程中受益。 该项目是将技术融入德克萨斯大学埃尔帕索分校提供的所有数学课程的关键一步。学生将在课堂上接触到矩阵概念的正式定义之前，在课堂外完成交互式在线模块。因此，他们将拥有第一手的知识，他们需要理解课堂上介绍的高度抽象的概念作为第二手知识。智力优点：这个项目是测试一种新的矩阵代数教学方法的有效性。文献中有几份报告记录了在课堂上使用基于计算机的矩阵代数课堂探究学习活动。然而，在典型的课堂期间，通常没有足够的时间进行这种实验活动。本研究旨在探讨改善学生学习与课外探究学习经验之间的关系。我们的假设是，精心设计的调查活动分配为带回家将给学生的第一手知识，他们需要理解的抽象信息，将在课堂上提供。掌握将通过评估工具，侧重于矩阵代数的基本抽象概念的程序和概念知识来衡量。更广泛的影响：为提高学生学习抽象概念的能力提供工具将对中学后数学教育产生广泛的影响。越来越多的非数学专业学生，特别是工程和科学专业的学生，参加一年级的矩阵或线性代数课程。但这些学生中的许多人没有为这类课程中常见的高抽象水平做好准备，导致全国的通过率很低。新的模块和带回家的作业将在一个网站上提供，该网站将链接到国家科学数字图书馆，以便它们可以在全国各地的项目中使用。虽然该项目的重点是矩阵代数，但材料的核心思想可以适用于数学中的其他重要主题。最后，评估工具将收集人口统计数据，以确定材料对不同学生群体的学习效果。由于UTEP的学生人数超过72%是西班牙裔，这些材料将在德克萨斯州和整个国家快速增长的人口中进行测试。