Committee on Computers in Mathematics Education



FRIDAY, 12-JAN-2001
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
SALON 828, 8TH FLOOR, SHERATON
NEW ORLEANS, LA

Minutes
I. Call to Order - 1:01 p. m.

II. Attendance
CCIME Members (present): Platt, Bessman, Birken, Deeba, Ensley, Smith, Yoshiwara
CCIME Members (not present): Henderson, Kadas, Reed (emailed regrets), Watt
CCIME Friends: Baker, Cowen, Ellis, Gold, Husch, Kissick, Klotz, Penn, Reynolds, Taylor

III. Activities at current meeting
a. On Line Assessment (Fife and Husch)
Attendance was good with about 60 people at any one time. The session was very successful and informative.

b. Minicourse #4: The Global Classroom: Using the Web as an interactive learning environment (Bessman and Quinney) There is interest in the topic. This is part of an NSF project. New software for implementation is now available. There were logistic problems with the room. The organizers could have used more time to clean-up before the next session.

c. Contributed Paper Sessions

· CPS: Innovative Uses of the World Wide Web (Bessman and Smith) Innovative Uses of the World Wide Web in Teaching Mathematics Two out of the three session have been held. These have been well attended with an average of about 80 and a maximum of 95 (using standing room). The organizers spoke with Jim Tattersall about having shorter sessions with more organizers.

· CPS: Computer Algebra Systems in Upper-Division Mathematics Courses Computer Algebra Systems in Upper-Division Mathematics Courses (Neuerburg and Lang - both Project NExT fellows) Attendance was good.

IV. Activities planned for MathFest 2001

Already scheduled.
a. CPS: TECHNOlOGY BASED MODELING IN MATHEMATICS COURSES Saturday afternoon (Hill and Penn)

b. CPS: CREATIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN TEACHING MATHEMATICS Thursday and Friday afternoons (Platt and Bessman)

Under consideration.
c. SPECIAL SESSION: Status of mathematics Interactive Text, organized by Deeba, Kalman and White (decision at the end of January).

V. The following proposals for Joint Meetings 2002 were were approved unanimously.

a. CPS: Title: Computational Mathematics in Linear Algebra and Differential Equations
Description: Recent advances in computer algebra systems, spreadsheets and calculators facilitate numerical investigations of many meaningful problems in Linear Algebra and Differential Equations. Such investigations often lead to better students' understanding of mathematical concepts while empowering them with the capabilities to analyze more "real world" problems. This session invites papers from these disciplines where these technologies are utilized.
Proposed by:
Elias Deeba (University of Houston-Downtown, Houston, Texas)
Rich Marchand (SUNY, Fredonia, New York)
Tim McDevitt ( Millersville University, Pennsylvania)


b. Innovative Uses of the World Wide Web in Teaching Mathematics (Bessman and others) - continuation of the successful series.

VI. Preliminary discussion of proposals for MathFest 2002
Burlington, Vermont is being considered as the location. Members and Friends need to start thinking about proposals to be approved at MathFest 2001. It was suggested that abstracts be forwarded to the Chairperson in time to be included in the agenda for MathFest 2001.

VII. Preliminary discussion of proposals for JMM 2003.
A panel about Math DL might be appropriate at this meeting.

VIII. Math DL
The scope of the project was presented by Doug Ensley and Gene Klotz. One way the CCIME could help the Math DL is to have CPS organizers suggest using JOMA for publication of selected contributor's papers.

IX. New "Notes" volume
Format alternatives for a possible new "Notes" volume were discussed.
The following issues were brought forth for further consideration:
· Electronic information should be published electronically
· Static information should be published in a paper book
· Books have a longer life than journal articles
· A Math DL Notes could have live links
· A static document with updates should perhaps be published electronically
· A special issue of JOMA might be appropriate Committee Members and Friends should be thinking about these issues and about appropriate content for discussion at MathFest 2001.

X. SIGMAA
Kirby Baker (UCLA) reviewed the status of a group that is considering formation of a SIGMAA: The Use of the Web in Collegiate Mathematics. The following have been done:
· Encouraging responses received from Ed Dubinski (in charge of SIGMAAs) and Smith/Lang (from Math DL/JOMA)
· An initial mailing list has been developed. The list includes the Project NExT Fellow and others, totally several hundred. In addition, a sign-up site is being developed. The organizers hope to have enough positive responses to organize the SIGMAA from these sources.
The vision of the organizers is the following:
· This is an education vehicle
· Newsletter could explain WebCT, etc.
· The SIGMAA will not publish materials
· The SIGMAA will broaden the possible referees and CPS organizers The interface between the SIGMAA and CCIME is suggested to include
· CCIME as a pipe-line to membership in the SIGMAA
· CCIME focuses on activities for the MAA
· SIGMAA focuses on involvement with its members The committee has endorsed this proposal.

XI. Other
Gene Klotz read an email from Liz Teles to Tina Straley. This has something to do with the NSF principle investigators and interested others participating in a workshop. CCIME is a possible source of expertise in organizing the workshop. The email was unclear about the details. The Members and Friends asked the Chairperson to contact those mentioned in the email for clarification.

XII. Adjourn: 3:10 p. m.
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Last Modified: February 2, 2001