Classroom Computer Laboratory and Student Demonstration Stations for Active Learning in Introductory Mathematics and Computer Science Courses

埃塞克斯社区学院正在几门数学和计算机科学课程中实施新的课程和教学方法，目的是让学生在学习过程中发挥更积极的作用。 Macintosh计算机的教室实验室和额外的学生演示站与投影设备用于常规课堂使用将被用来取代课堂和/或实验室活动的讲座方法，在各种各样的数学和计算机科学课程的问题驱动的实验和发现。 将强调有利于女生的学习方式，包括利用合作学习小组，因为幼儿保育学生中有60%是女生。 该部门已准备采用哈佛联盟微积分课程的所有部分，因为他们提供，从微积分一开始。 NSF资助的数学建模/预计算改革项目将在实验部分采用，而控制部分将继续使用传统的预计算课程。 CAS的使用将使现实问题的探索，减少对手动操作的重视，并提供一个可视化工具。 NSF资助的项目机会材料将被纳入文科课程的统计和数学。 小学教育专业的数学学生将探索基于NCTM标准的材料，包括适合中学代数的技术。 将开设两门新的计算机科学入门课程，分别是多媒体技术和因特网资源。 这些和几个现有的计算机科学课程将在一个刺激的多媒体环境中教授，以提高学生的积极性，并鼓励使用，并开发熟悉，计算机技术的学生谁依赖于他们的计算经验的大学。

Essex Community College is implementing new curricula and pedagogical methods in several mathematics and computer science courses with the objective of having students adopt a more active role in the learning process. A classroom laboratory of Macintosh computers and additional student demonstration stations with projection devices for regular classroom use will be used to replace the lecture method by classroom and/or laboratory activities, for problem-driven experimentation and discovery in a wide variety of mathematics and computer science courses. Learning styles beneficial for female students will be emphasized, including use of cooperative learning groups, as 60% of ECC students are female. The department has prepared to adopt the Harvard Consortium calculus curriculum in all sections as they are offered, beginning with Calculus I. The NSF-funded Math Modeling/Precalculus Reform Project will be adopted in experimental sections, while control sections will continue to use a traditional precalculus curriculum. Use of a CAS will enable exploration of realistic problems, reduce emphasis on hand manipulations, and provide a visualization tool. NSF-funded Project Chance materials will be incorporated into statistics and mathematics for liberal arts courses. Students in mathematics for elementary education majors will explore NCTM standards-based materials, including technology appropriate for middle school algebra. Two new introductory computer science courses, in multimedia technology and Internet resources, will be offered. These and several existing computer science courses will be taught in a stimulating multimedia environment to increase student motivation, and also encourage use of, and develop familiarity with, computer technologies among students who depend upon the college for their computing experiences.