Comprehensive Assessment Tracking System

Bringing Science into Beginning Algebra

Contributors: 
DWAXT23951's picture
Dwain Desbien
BROAA00004's picture
Bronwen Steele
FIOZM75331's picture
Fiona Lihs
levxq41621's picture
Levi Torrison
denqy95381's picture
Denise Garland
ANGNX09261's picture
Angela McClure
Monday, January 13, 2014 to Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Abstract: 

Science faculty are constantly hearing from their students, "This isn't math! I didn't learn this in my math class". Many students are not able to transfer what they learned in math into their science courses.  Most of the concepts in MAT091 are crucial to success in science.  Throughout the semester, I met with 6 science faculty to discuss HOW students see these topics in science classes.  When a certain concept came up in my MAT091 class, I would show students how they would see it in their science course work, based off of the examples fellow colleagues shared with me.   Students utilized the workbook created by Rachel Smith and Michelle Breaux called "Drawing Better Line Graphs!! and get more points on your lab reports".  Students were also exposed to the following MAT091 concepts that have importance in science: scientific notation, rules of exponents, position/time graphs, linear functions, domain/range, and systems of equations.

See attached for the results and more detail.  

Division/Department: 
Completed Full Cycle: 
Yes
Course Number: 
MAT091
AttachmentSize
File mat091-and-science-results.docx121.56 KB

Comments

PETAA00009's picture
up
0 users have voted.

Becky - I sure applaud your efforts! I especially like how you sought out science '"voices" and "stole" your math colleagues ideas! Collaboration to the nth degree! Sorry the results weren't more reflective of your enthusiasm and efforts. What are your plans for this class for next semester?

ERIQF52091's picture
up
0 users have voted.

I agree with Pete, collaboration with colleagues not only that teach in other courses but in our divisions is a great way of modeling how to break down the silos of academe.  Our students will be the beneficiaries of these collaborations.

BROAA00004's picture
up
0 users have voted.

Becky, awesome efforts, it is tough. That is it is something that is very hard to measure, we have struggled with application type contexts for a long time and showing how it helps learning. Maybe not, maybe it just makes their minds a bit more open to learning. 

RACYC00002's picture
up
0 users have voted.

yey!! glad the workbook is helpful :)