While a standard calculus course may include some neatly-packaged applications of rate of change or Riemann sums to problems of kinematics, majors from biology and medicine are in urgent need of mathematics taught from a modeling perspective. Yet, the art of modeling is scarce in tertiary mathematics classrooms in part because, much like in schools, many mathematicians may lack (a) the relevant real-world concepts (beyond simple physics and engineering) (b) knowledge of the mathematics from a modeling perspective or (c) confidence to change their classroom practices. To remedy this, we trialed a professional development workshop for faculty to learn to mathematically model biological contexts with dynamical systems. The workshop enacted the field’s recommendations for professional development with teachers. We observed gains in faculty’s self-reported comfort with mathematics and biology concepts and teaching mathematics with a modeling perspective.
more »
« less
Alternative Methods of Regular and Singular Perturbation Problems
Making exact approximations to solve equations distinguishes applied mathematicians from pure mathematicians, physicists, and engineers. Perturbation problems, both regular and singular, are pervasive in diverse fields of applied mathematics and engineering. This research paper provides a comprehensive overview of algebraic methods for solving perturbation problems, featuring a comparative analysis of their strengths and limitations. Serving as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners, it offers insights and guidance for tackling perturbation problems in various disciplines, facilitating the advancement of applied mathematics and engineering.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 1839895
- PAR ID:
- 10649596
- Publisher / Repository:
- Scientific Research
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Applied Mathematics
- Volume:
- 15
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 2152-7385
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 687 to 708
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Perturbation, Regular Perturbation, Singular Perturbation, Asymptotic Expansion, Matched Asymptotic, Strained Coordinates, Multiple Scales
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Cook, S; Katz, B; Moore-Russo, D (Ed.)In mathematics, counter narratives can be used to fight the dominant narrative of who is good at mathematics and who can succeed in mathematics. Eight mathematicians were recruited to co-author a larger NSF project (RAMP). In part, they were asked to create author stories for an undergraduate audience. In this article, we use narrative analysis to present five polarities identified in the author stories. We present various quotations from the mathematicians’ author stories to highlight their experiences with home and school life, view of what mathematics is, experiences in growth in mathematics, with collaboration, and their feelings of community in mathematics. The telling of these experiences contributes towards rehumanizing mathematics and rewriting the narrative of who is good at and who can succeed in mathematics.more » « less
-
Abstract In this paper, we discuss our experience in collaborating with mathematicians to increase their use of active learning pedagogy in a proof-based linear algebra course. The mathematicians we worked with valued using active learning pedagogy to increase student engagement but were reluctant to use active learning pedagogy due to time constraints. Our mathematicians perceived obligations in their teaching that increased the time it would take to implement some of the active learning pedagogy that we suggested, leading them to view this pedagogy as inviable. By attending to mathematicians’ obligations, we were able to design active learning strategies that met the interests and needs of the mathematics educators and mathematicians collaborating on this project.more » « less
-
Abstract The Reading and Appreciating Mathematical Proofs (RAMP) project seeks to provide novel resources for teaching undergraduate introduction to proof courses centered around reading activities. These reading activities include (1) reading rich proofs to learn new mathematics through proofs as well as to learn how to read proofs for understanding and (2) reading mathematician stories to humanize proving and to legitimize challenge and struggle. One of the guiding analogies of the project is thinking about learning proof-based mathematics like learning a genre of literature. We want students to read interesting proofs so they can appreciate what is exciting about the genre and how they can engage with it. Proofs were selected by eight professors in mathematics who as curriculum co-authors collected intriguing mathematical results and added stories of their experience becoming mathematicians. As mathematicians of colour and/or women mathematicians, these co-authors speak to the challenges they faced in their mathematical history, how they overcame these challenges, and the key role mentors and community have played in that process. These novel opportunities to learn to read and read to learn in the proof-based context hold promise for supporting student learning in new ways. In this commentary, we share how we have sought to humanize proof-based mathematics both in the reading materials and in our classroom implementation thereof.more » « less
-
> Context • In 1972, Papert emphasized that “[t]he important difference between the work of a child in an elementary mathematics class and […]a mathematician” is “not in the subject matter […]but in the fact that the mathematician is creatively engaged […]” Along with creative, Papert kept saying children should be engaged in projects rather than problems. A project is not just a large problem, but involves sustained, active engagement, like children’s play. For Papert, in 1972, computer programming suggested a flexible construction medium, ideal for a research-lab/playground tuned to mathematics for children. In 1964, without computers, Sawyer also articulated research-playgrounds for children, rooted in conventional content, in which children would learn to act and think like mathematicians. > Problem • This target article addresses the issue of designing a formal curriculum that helps children develop the mathematical habits of mind of creative tinkering, puzzling through, and perseverance. I connect the two mathematicians/educators – Papert and Sawyer – tackling three questions: How do genuine puzzles differ from school problems? What is useful about children creating puzzles? How might puzzles, problem-posing and programming-centric playgrounds enhance mathematical learning? > Method • This analysis is based on forty years of curriculum analysis, comparison and construction, and on research with children. > Results • In physical playgrounds most children choose challenge. Papert’s ideas tapped that try-something-new and puzzle-it-out-for-yourself spirit, the drive for challenge. Children can learn a lot in such an environment, but what (and how much) they learn is left to chance. Formal educational systems set standards and structures to ensure some common learning and some equity across students. For a curriculum to tap curiosity and the drive for challenge, it needs both the playful looseness that invites exploration and the structure that organizes content. > Implications • My aim is to provide support for mathematics teachers and curriculum designers to design or teach in accord with their constructivist thinking. > Constructivist content • This article enriches Papert’s constructionism with curricular ideas from Sawyer and from the work that I and my colleagues have donemore » « less
An official website of the United States government

