Beginning in fall 2006 some sections of MAT 103 will be taught with new materials and a different pedagogical approach. A new text will be used, The Heart of Mathematics an invitation to effective thinking by Edward Burger and Michael Starbird. The approach and materials in this text have been widely acclaimed and are currently used in many institutions. The thrust of the course will be to focus on important ideas in mathematics with emphasis on the methods of investigation and effective methods of thinking. A strong emphasis throughout the course will be on the habits of mind or 10 lessons for life as they are called in the text materials. These are:
- Just do it
- Make mistakes and fail, but never give up
- Keep an open mind
- Explore the consequences of new ideas
- Seek the essential
- Understand the issue
- Understand simple things deeply
- Break a difficult problem into easier ones
- Examine the issues from several points of view
- Look for patterns and similarities
The materials are written in a breezy conversational style and puzzles and manipulatives are used to encourage students to be active learners and to engage in collaborative learning.
Instructors who will be teaching sections using this new approach have been through a one week faculty development workshop sponsored by the Title III project. Some MAT 103 sections will be taught using the same text materials and approach as has been used in recent years. The Title III project will be supporting additional student tutors for all MAT 103 sections.