Goals and Objectives for Math 141 and 142

 

GOALS:

 

The main goal of Math 141 & 142 is to teach the areas of mathematics that are covered in the standard course curriculum of kindergarten through 8th grade.  While teaching the content we strive to have the university students make the change from looking at the topics from the point-of-view of a student trying to get a correct answer to that of a future-teacher in understanding the content and seeing connections between topics.  We work to improve the student’s understanding of mathematics, to increase each student’s ability to see patterns, and to explain the patterns they see.  These increased abilities will improve a student’s confidence and attitude towards mathematics.     

There is an emphasis on the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics.   We look at multiple representations of topics, connections between topics, and problem solving as applications of many topics.  (The text we use has many references to the NCTM standards as related to each topic being taught.  These references in the margins of the text are pointed out and discussed.)

 

 

OBJECTIVES:

 

  1. Students understand the concepts rather than just memorizing how to apply the critical ideas.  When the concepts make sense to a student and are not just memorized it helps reduce the student’s “math anxiety” and makes him/her a better future-teacher.
  2. Students can write all formulas as verbal sentences and not just as equations.  If possible, students will be able to explain how the formula was developed.
  3. Students can summarize each topic with a short verbal explanation rather than just giving example problems.
  4. Students learn each topic in different ways, recognizing that students learn through visual, verbal and numerical methods. 
  5. Each topic is taught by presenting different “levels of difficulty” and thus enabling these future teachers to integrate the ideas effectively at the appropriate levels for grades K – 8.
  6. Where appropriate, technology is used when it supports the content and improves student proficiency with technology and problem-solving.  The text we use has a web site with many different types of activities to enhance the students’ understanding of the topics taught. 

      http://jws-edcv.wiley.com/college/bcs/redesign/student/0,,_0471662933_BKS_2128____,00.html 

      An instructor’s web site also has many links to sites that are related to the topics taught in this course. (http://people.uncw.edu/spikek)