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Tag: College Teaching

Flipping Elementary Algebra

Flipping Elementary Algebra

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This semester I am teaching two sections of elementary algebra using a flipped classroom model. The approach is different than the way I have flipped my statistics course, but has been very effective. I am relying heavily on MyMathLab outside the classroom. For each section that we cover … Students complete a “Flip” assignment before the material is discussed in class. The assignment contains conceptual videos that introduce each topic as well as videos of examples where problems are worked…

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Embedded Tutor FTW!

Embedded Tutor FTW!

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Thanks to the Transformation Grant, our college has begun to provide embedded tutors for developmental math and English classes. I have a tutor in each of my Math 200 (Elementary Algebra) classes. My tutors walk around throughout the class session, helping students and answering questions. I have had great results, and I am happy to say that my students feel that having a tutor in the classroom is very beneficial. Many developmental math students are much more comfortable asking questions…

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New Algebra Review Strategy

New Algebra Review Strategy

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This semester I am teaching a short term intermediate algebra class. I taught this last year, and I taught a chapter each week followed by a week to review for the midterm. I repeated the same schedule for the final. This semester I have changed the schedule and have had great success. After I finish covering each chapter, I devote a day to reviewing that chapter immediately. I bring in an old copy of a chapter exam, and the review…

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Flipped Classroom Materials for Statistics

Flipped Classroom Materials for Statistics

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Last semester I flipped my Statistics classroom, and was really happy with the results. I have put together some pages explaining exactly how I flipped the classroom, with links/descriptions of documents that I used along with a calendar showing how I we covered the material. You can find it all at http://georgewoodbury.com/flip I will be adding more to the site as I make my way through a second semester of flipping that classroom – this time in a short-term (8…

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Using Folders to Learn Student Names

Using Folders to Learn Student Names

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I have been listening to a great podcast lately named “Teaching In Higher Ed” and it’s a great combination of teaching advice, new trends, productivity tips, and technology recommendations. You can find it on iTunes here, or go directly to the web site. I was listening to Episode 12 which dealt with ways to learn student names and it reminded me of a blog I shared in my old WordPress blog and I thought it was time for an update….

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Do It MY Way? No, Do It YOUR Way!

Do It MY Way? No, Do It YOUR Way!

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I was at a session at a small math conference last fall, and the presenter was going through their list of things students must do to learn mathematics. When the presenter said that students had to do things according to the instructor’s method (“They have to do it MY way!”), I am sure my jaw fell to the floor. In my experience you have to let students think and experiment in order for them to learn and understand mathematics. As…

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Letting Students Choose What They Want To Learn

Letting Students Choose What They Want To Learn

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After 22 years at my college I finally took a bank leave this semester. Although there has been a lot of relaxing and traveling, I used my time off to do some reading and thinking about how I wanted to improve my math and statistics classes. In particular I wanted to help my students grow, learn to think, and take away skills that they would find valuable outside of the classroom. One of my ex-students (who I respect a great…

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Math Education Lesson at the Museum

Math Education Lesson at the Museum

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Last month my wife and I visited the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. We saved their Pop Art collection for the end because it’s a light way to finish a day at the museum. We were admiring an Andy Warhol piece on Elvis when a guide walked up to us and asked us if we’d like to learn about a piece in the next room. We love to learn, so we took her up on the offer. It did not…

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Problems To Use In Class

Problems To Use In Class

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One thing I like to do in class is end with a short assignment to see how well students understand the material from that section. There are a couple of short quizzes that are available in the 4th edition of my combined elementary & intermediate algebra textbook. First, in the Video Notebook (located for students inside MyMathLab) each section of the notebook ends with a 5-question self-assessment quiz that works really well for this purpose. I selected 5 problems that…

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Preparing for the New Semester

Preparing for the New Semester

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Spring classes start next Monday. This is pretty much the time I start to get the itch to get back to school, and start thinking about how I will teach my classes, changes I will make, … I always start the same way, by rereading one of my favorite books: Successful Beginnings for College Teaching by Angela Provitera McGlynn. This book is aimed at new college instructors, particularly at commuter schools and community colleges. A listing of the chapters tells…

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