Electronic Proceedings of the Seventh Annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate MathematicsOrlando, Florida, November 17-20, 1994Paper C002Technology and the Mature Department |
Augusta SchurrerDepartment of Mathematics University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0506 USA Phone: (319) 372-2432 Fax: (319) 273-2546 schurrer@math.uni.edu | Diane MitchellDepartment of Mathematics University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0506 USA Phone: (319) 372-6794 Fax: (319) 273-2546 mitchell@math.uni.edu |
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ABSTRACT
Over the past ten years it has become evident that to change the mathematics curriculum and make it relevant and useful as well as accessible to a larger portion of the student population, we should involve the incorporation of current technology. Using the available technology to apply mathematics in a meaningful way requires a revision of the current curriculum as well as a modification of the method of delivery. How this is to be accomplished will vary from institution to institution. We will describe the way in which this is being achieved with a mature department.Our department is mature in the sense that the average age of those teaching calculus is in the fifties. There are no TA's and few of the recent PhD's are involved. Since much of the original discussion dealing with the incorporation of technology centered on the courses in calculus, this group of faculty seemed to be the appropriate one toward which to direct our initial efforts. These faculty members have been successful and have years of experience on which to rely - experience which would insure continued, thorough, acceptable delivery. By all institutional measures they are doing well. How can we go about motivating such faculty members to consider introducing the available technology and making the curricular changes this would require?
Keyword(s): teacher training, calculus