Award Abstract # 0603319
Dynamic Algebra for Technical Students

NSF Org: DUE
Division Of Undergraduate Education
Recipient: CONSORTIUM FOR MATHEMATICS & ITS APPLICATIONS INC
Initial Amendment Date: June 19, 2006
Latest Amendment Date: September 10, 2007
Award Number: 0603319
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Daniel P. Maki
DUE
 Division Of Undergraduate Education
EHR
 Direct For Education and Human Resources
Start Date: June 15, 2006
End Date: May 31, 2009 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $0.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $900,075.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2006 = $300,045.00
FY 2007 = $600,030.00
History of Investigator:
  • Solomon Garfunkel (Principal Investigator)
    sol@comap.com
  • Susan Forman (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Consortium For Mathematics & Its Applications Inc
175 MIDDLESEX TPKE
BEDFORD
MA  US  01730-1459
(781)862-7878
Sponsor Congressional District: 06
Primary Place of Performance: Consortium For Mathematics & Its Applications Inc
175 MIDDLESEX TPKE
BEDFORD
MA  US  01730-1459
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
06
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): V2LCDJZQ2H96
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): S-STEM-Schlr Sci Tech Eng&Math,
Advanced Tech Education Prog
Primary Program Source: 1300CYXXDB H-1B FUND, EHR, NSF
Program Reference Code(s): 1032, 9178, SMET
Program Element Code(s): 153600, 741200
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.076

ABSTRACT

This project is producing, field-testing, revising and disseminating a new College Algebra course designed to meet the academic goals and stimulate the interest of students in Advanced Technological Education (ATE) programs. Their goal is to increase student achievement for this student population by creating a course that builds a sound foundation for work and for future technical quantitative study. This course employs technology and an applied/modeling approach to cover essential topics in College Algebra in order to reflect and conform to placement testing and articulation structures at most colleges and universities.

The course consists of a textbook, including traditional topics but with a significant amount of additional material delivered via the Internet. The web portal for this course features web assignments that allow students to see videos of technicians at work and explore problems using JAVA simulations from one of four areas of technical education: (a) Biotechnology and Environmental Technology; (b) Telecommunications and Semiconductor Technology; (c) Information Technology; and (d) Mechanical and Manufacturing Technology. Faculty members are able to use this site to customize both in-class and homework assignments for students enrolled in programs in these ATE areas.

The content, pedagogy and format of these materials are being designed with substantial input from the College Algebra working group of the MAA Committee on Curriculum Reform and the First Two Years (CRAFTY) and representatives from both technical client disciplines and industry organizations, such as the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA). It is building on COMAP's other ATE projects where they are researching technical work environments and helping faculty create and integrate authentic applications derived from advanced technological areas into their courses.

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