Reforming Mathematics Curriculum Through Computerized Laboratories and Cooperative Learning

布雷瓦德社区学院是一所多校区、男女同校的社区学院，位于佛罗里达东海岸，正在墨尔本校区建立三个计算机化数学实验室，在学院空间技术研究所建立一个实验室。这些实验室将是改革整个数学课程的全面努力的一部分，这一努力涉及改进教学技术，并侧重于提高学生对各级数学的理解和成功。目标学生受众包括所有需要大学数学入门课程或更高课程以完成学位要求的学生，以及肯尼迪航天中心需要数学作为空间技术相关培训方案组成部分的学生雇员。 合作学习技术将实施为小学生群体使用计算机模拟数学方程，探索相关的数学概念，并测试可能的解决方案。当他们在小组中进行基于计算机的活动时，学生将组织自己的数学概念，使他们能够更有效地学习并提高他们解决数学问题的能力。 该项目的评估将包括比较学生的成功率，满意度，并保留在课堂上使用改革后的教学法，以传统的讲座为基础的类。评估项目影响还将考虑如何提高数学能力将有助于提高肯尼迪航天中心员工的工作技能。拟议的改革可以作为其他希望对自己的课程进行类似改革的机构的榜样。

Brevard Community College, a multi-campus, co-educational community college located on the east coast of Florida, is establishing three computerized mathematics laboratories at the Melbourne Campus and one at the College's Institute for Space Technology. The laboratories will be part of a comprehensive effort to reform the entire mathematics curriculum that addresses improving teaching techniques and focuses on increasing students' understanding of and success in mathematics at all levels. The target student audience includes all students requiring an introductory college level mathematics course or greater to complete degree requirements, and student employees of the Kennedy Space Center requiring mathematics as a component of space technology related training programs. Cooperative learning techniques will be implemented as small student groups use the computer to simulate mathematical equations, explore related mathematical concepts, and test possible solutions. As they perform computer-based activities in their groups, students will organize their own mathematical concepts, enabling them to learn more effectively and improve their mathematical problem solving skills. Evaluation of the project will consist of comparing student success rates, satisfaction, and retention in classes using the reformed pedagogy to traditional lecture-based classes. Assessing project impact will also take into consideration how improving mathematical competency will contribute to enhanced job skills of Kennedy Space Center employees. The proposed reforms can serve as a model for other institutions wishing to initiate similar changes to their own curricula.