In light of substantial declines in enrollments in liberal arts mathematics courses in two-year colleges, this paper looks at some of the reasons for these declines and suggests ways of revitalizing the traditional "great ideas" mathematics course. First, a brief outline is presented of the history of liberal arts mathematics, focusing on the…

This document argues that qualitative graphing is an effective introduction to mathematics as a construction for communication of ideas involving quantitative relationships. It is suggested that with little or no prior knowledge of Cartesian coordinates or analytic descriptions of graphs using equations students can successfully grasp concepts of…

The lack of high school and college mathematics is a major barrier to Native Americans, particularly women, seeking careers in technological fields. Mathematics should be studied because it is functional, is interesting, and expands an individual's universe. In the college classroom, the mathematics students find that classes are large; only 15%…

Several outlines for a calculator usage course are presented, along with some suggested course objectives. The approaches seek to teach the utilization of calculators as computing devices into which formulas and calculations are translated. (MP)

The belief that computer science should have a profound effect on undergraduate mathematics is proposed. It is also reported that alternatives to the standard curriculum would give discrete analysis an equivalent role to that now played by calculus in the first two years. (MP)

Presents a brief discussion of the challenges presented to mathematics education by changes in social dependence on mathematics, in professional response to the needs of students, in institutional expectations of students and teachers, and in student demographics and expectations. Provides an extended outline for a syllabus used to clearly…

Analyzes the traditional role of students in mathematics classes, challenging the idea that students simply listen to their instructors and learn to solve problems. Suggests that math students should also be able to communicate verbally their understanding of mathematical problems. (Contains 68 references.) (NB)

The question of the advisability of incorporating discrete mathematics into the mathematics curriculum is addressed by examining the different types of courses typically offered in the first two years of college and the appropriateness of including discrete mathematics topics in these courses. The introductory section explains how the advent of…

Four interference factors to math learning are poor or no instruction, low motivation, inappropriate learning theory, and physiological learning dysfunction. The math clinic, a teaching-learning strategy, uses diagnostic teaching skills and various learning rates for math studies. Instruction is matched to the student from information provided by…

A discussion is presented of the relationship between community college general education mathematics courses and the technical education curricula they support. Introductory remarks sketch the history and emphasis of community colleges; review President Truman's Commission on Higher Education's recommendations concerning the functions of…

Suggests that mathematics curricula, which have traditionally been considered culture-free, have a role to play in fostering understanding among members of different cultures, after a period of cultural upheaval. Anthropological and educational sources are used to suggest points of relevance when a mathematical curriculum is designed for…

Argues that the college preparatory curriculum should include more than three years of mathematics. Presents data indicating that 86 percent of students with less than three years of college preparatory mathematics take remedial mathematics and relatively few students are ready to take calculus when they enter the university. (PK)

Students in six advanced mathematics courses at the Open University were surveyed to identify and analyze reasons for withdrawal from the courses. Specific recommendations for preventing dropout advising and readily available counseling, clarifying course sequences, avoiding assumptions about student sophistication, and developing new curriculum.…

Proposes the use of conceptualization, exploration, and higher-level problem solving in differential equations courses as a replacement for some of the traditional material that can now be delegated to the computer. (MKR)

Presents four areas of advanced mathematical research (fuzzy set theory, subjective probability, search theory, and Voronoi diagrams) that are proposed for introduction into teacher education programs from an elementary, survey perspective without the intention of accomplishing formal mathematical research, thereby challenging teachers' beliefs…