Dr. Sarah's Tentative Calendar for 1010121 (Watauga Residential College) & 1010122

The best way to contact me outside of class is during office hours or on the ASULearn Forum, as I usually check the posts daily, even on weekends.
  • Office Hours this week:
  • Math Lab hours M-Th 5:45-8:45 in 105 beginning on 8/24
  • Syllabus and Grading Policies
  • Class highlights If you miss a class, then check here and make up the work before the next class.

    DUE Date
    		     Work is always due at the BEGINNING of class. Additional hw TBA.
    8 Dec - Tues
  • ****Research Presentations: Mathematical Breakthroughs **** our assigned time is 3-5:30. Mandatory to pass the class.
    Look in the ASULearn forum for my message about some mathematical connections and scholarly references for your topic.
    • __________ ________________________________________________________________________
    __________ ________________________________________________________________________
    3 Dec - Thur
  • Choose a topic for the final research presentation and prepare to share that with the rest of the class. Work on the two-page typed product (plus an annotated bibliography)
    • 1 Dec - Tues
  • ****Project 4: What is Mathematics: A Class Review **** is due if you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete.
  • If you didn't finish the video questions questions (to turn in) from last Tuesday,you can finish that up for today. We watched the Nova version, but here is the BBC version as well as a text transcript
  • Also, if you weren't in lab the Monday before Thanksgiving, be sure that you have watched Liz Coleman on General Education
    • 30 Nov - Mon
  • (to turn in) Search for information on the mathematicians David Blackwell and Andrew Wiles and report on a few interesting items that you found---informal bullet points are fine.
  • Work on Project 4 and/or the final research presentations
  • Bring your stock purchase info with you
    • 24 Nov - Tues (to turn in) What mathematics is research and readings assignment
  • If you did not finish the lab then do so (part 3 to turn in).
    • 23 Nov - Mon
  • Begin working on hw for Tuesday
  • Begin working on Project 4, if you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete.
  • Bring your stock purchase info with you to lab
    • 19 Nov - Thur
  • ****Test 3**** study guide
    • 17 Nov - Tues
  • Take a try of the ASULearn practice questions
  • Study for test 3 via the study guide and write down any questions that you have.
  • If you didn't finish the lab, do so. You'll need the stock purchase price for future labs.
    • 16 Nov - Mon
  • Review the statistics labs [Stock Data and Graph and ASULearn Data Collection, Representations of Data, and Can We Predict the Future? Stocks, Class Data, and Raw Egg Regressions] and bring your notes on them with you to lab, along with your stock graph.
  • Begin the hw for Tuesday
    • 12 Nov - Thur
  • ****Project 3: Critical Analysis of Recent Media **** is due if you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete.
    • 10 Nov - Tues
  • (to turn in) Search google news, scholar.google.com, newspapers, journals or magazines to find a news article that discusses boxplots and/or predictors from the last 12 months. Write down the title, the source reference and the date the news article appeared in print or on the web.
  • Work on project 3 if you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete.
    • 9 Nov - Mon
  • Read about linear regression, predictors and the stock market
  • (to turn in) Complete How Do You Know 3.4 #15 parts b) and c)
  • Work on project 3 if you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete.
    • 5 Nov - Thur
  • Read and take notes on (keep track of the pages #s too) the themes of collecting and presenting data, predictors, boxplots, truth and consequences, and local to global
    In Heart of Mathematics
    p. 53-55, the chart on p. 56, and p. 61 Numerical Patterns in Nature
    p. 734-735 and 738-745 Statistics Throughout our Lives
    p. 776-788 Deciding Personal and Public Policy
  • (to turn in) Here is a second application of all we've been reading and discussing. Critique the following article (pros and cons). Informal bullet points are fine here: Exposure to letters A or F can affect test performance
    • 3 Nov - Tues
  • Read and take notes on (keep track of the pages #s too) the themes of collecting and presenting data, predictors, boxplots, truth and consequences, and local to global
  • In Heart of Mathematics
    p. 591-593 Are Coincidences as Truly Amazing as They First Appear?
    p. 712-722 Making Inferences from Data
  • In How Do You Know:
    p. 185-188 on Linear Relationships
  • (To turn in) It's election day, so here's a themed application of all we've been reading and discussing. In articles on the impact of young voters in the 2008 Presidential election the authors have opposite conclusions about the same election. Critique the articles (pros and cons). Informal bullet points are fine here.
  • Read through Project 3: Critical Analysis of Recent Media and write down any questions.
    • 2 Nov - Mon
  • Read and take notes on or highlight: MSFT conflicting graph viewpoints
  • You will need the full page printout of the stock graph (which has both the bar chart for volume and the boxplots for prices on it) and access to the Excel file you used to create it.
  • Begin working on the hw for Tuesday.
    • 29 Oct - Thur
  • Take notes on (keep track of the pages #s) aspects related to:
    Theme 1: Collecting Data and the Role of Chance and Probability
    Theme 2: Predictors
    Theme 3: Boxplots
  • In Heart of Mathematics
    p. 645-651 and 654-661 Stumbling Through a Minefield of Data
  • In How Do You Know:
    p. 156 on When Good Graphs Go Bad,
    p. 172-176 on the Center of a Distribution, the Spread of a Distribution, and Box Plots,
  • Use the following lo, q1, median, q3, and hi to sketch three boxplots on the same graph for these Nielsen ratings points (that roughly represent the percentage of households tuned in).
    ABC [13.5, 14.4, 16.6, 17.2, 20.2]
    CBS [13.1, 15.5, 16.35, 17.3, 21.9]
    NBC [13.1, 13.6, 14.5, 15.0, 17.6]
    Which network does the best? The worst? Can you say something positive about each network using the boxplots? Explain.
  • If you have not done so already, then print out a copy of your stock graph - just the graph, not the data - and bring it to all statistics segment classes and labs [we'll reuse the data in lab]
    • 28 Oct - Tues
  • Complete How Do You Know p. 180-181 #6 on measures of center and be prepared to discuss why you chose what you did
  • Read and take notes on (& keep track of the page #s) aspects related to:
    Theme 1: Collecting Data and the Role of Chance and Probability
    Theme 2: Predictors
    Heart of Mathematics
    p. 594 (How to Get Rich Quick as a Stock Whiz),
    p. 674-677 (Measures of Center and Five-Number Summaries), and
    ASULearn reading (History of Statistics, Census, Sampling and Random Sampling).
    p. 131-134 on History of Statistics, Census, Sampling and Random Sampling,
    p. 138 on estimating a characteristic as well as sample size,
    p. 140 from item 3. to the bottom of the page on misleading questions, and
    p. 142 on Human Subject Research
    and bring the workbook to class.
  • Bring your stock graph to class
    • 26 Oct - Mon
  • ****Test 2**** study guide
  • Begin working on hw for Tues, although it is not on test 2!
    • 22 Oct - Thur
  • Take a try of the ASULearn Material Review Questions for Test 2 and read the study guide and write down any questions that you have.
  • Use class time as a study day for test 2. I will be in the class to answer any questions, although you may study from elsewhere, and I'll be in office hours and on the forums as usual.
    • 20 Oct - Tues
  • How Do You Know Exercise Set 1.2 (beginning on p. 23) #9, 14, 21, and 24 and Exercise Set 1.3 (beginning on p. 32)# 8 and 10
  • Bring your responses from lab on Mon Aug 31 with you on the Equations and Finance portions
  • Bring your stock graph from lab on Mon Sep 21 with you, the printed Stock Graph and Statistics of Nature responses. You'll need your Excel file in the statistics segment, so be sure you can also locate that email.
    • 19 Oct - Mon
  • (To turn in) Search the web for information about personal or consumer debt or loans in the US. How about for the entire world? How about for North Carolina? Also search for information about the federal deficit. Report back on what you found.
  • Read and take notes on or highlight How Do You Know p. 38-47, and be sure to write down the formula for dept to income ratio, which we will use in lab.
  • Review your responses and work for #1, #2, #7 and #8 on the last lab and write down any questions. You will also need #14 and #15 for lab, so bring that will you.
  • Begin working on hw for Tues.
    • 13 Oct - Tues
  • (To turn in) Review the class highlights page and your notes, reflect, and list all instances from this segment as related to the themes of: a. what mathematics is, b. what it has to offer and why it is useful, c. the diverse ways that people succeed in it and impact it, d. local to global theme, e. truth and consequenses theme. As part of this, review and include the lump sum philosophy, philosophy of derivation of periodic payment, and philosophy and derivation of loans in your responses.
    • 12 Oct - Mon
  • Car Loan Practice Problem on ASULearn. Keep track of your calculations on a sheet of paper (if you scroll over an answer box after you submit it, you will receive feedback and hints, and you can resubmit the correct answers online).
    • 8 Oct - Thur
  • Skim p. 26-29 in How Do You Know? and p. 799-801 in Heart of Mathematics on loans and amortization.
  • Complete You Try It 3.4 on the top of page 30. Show work. Hint: When you solve for the monthly payment, you should obtain 381.84 and the balance due at the end of 3 months is 13782.35.
    • 6 Oct - Tues
  • ****Project 2: Benjamin Franklin's Financial Legacy **** is due if you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete.
    • 5 Oct - Mon
  • Reading and questions on Benjamin Franklin's Financial Legacy: Middle and Later Years (to turn in)
  • We are going to use lab time to work on Project 2 or as an open office hour to answer any finance questions. If you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete, you may work in the lab or at home or elsewhere. Regardless, if you won't be coming in to lab, then turn in the above homework on ASULearn.
    • 1 Oct - Thur
  • Complete the $37 savings
  • Complete Jane and Joan on ASULearn.
    • 29 Sep - Tues
  • Complete How Do You Know? p. 22 Exercise Set 1.2 #5 and 7
  • Read and take notes on Heart of Mathematics p. 793-797 and How Do You Know? p. 9-13
  • Read through the Project Criteria under next Tuesday's due date and write down any questions you have (if you didn't finish the lab from this or last week, do so).
    • 28 Sep - Mon
  • Review the lump sum formula and write down any questions you have
  • Read and highlight or takes notes on Ben Franklin's Plan - Web Reading for Lab
  • Complete the Benjamin Franklin's Will--Early Years activity (to turn in)
    • 24 Sep - Thur
  • Read and take notes on or highlight How Do You Know? p. 1 and 5-7
  • Practice Problems (to turn in) from How Do You Know?
    Exercise Set 1.2 p. 22 # 1 and 2.
    • 22 Sep - Tues
  • Talk to your friends or relatives, collect information that you receive in the mail, search on the web and/or go to a bank to find recent interest rates on...
            savings,                                                 checking accounts,
            cds (certificate of deposit),                     credit card rates,
            student loan rates,                                   house loan (mortgage) rates,
            and car loan rates.
  • Summarize your findings and be sure to list the source(s) of each rate.
  • Practice Problems (to turn in) from How Do You Know?
    Exercise Set 1.1 beginning on p. 7: # 1, 13, 16, 17, and 20.
    You may write in the workbook and rip out the pages to save paper. Show your calculation work!
    • 21 Sep - Mon
  • You will need money on your card to print 1 sheet from lab.
  • Find the stock symbols of a few companies that are actively traded and that you are interested in "buying" - for example, you might search
    http://finance.yahoo.com/lookup for stocks with certain names
    or www.google.com for
    "stock symbol" "COMPANY NAME"
    where COMPANY NAME is the name of the company that you are interested in.
  • Take notes on and/or highlight: section 1.5: Personal Finance: Investments in the How Do You Know? book (beginning on p. 51) to gain some familiarity with personal investments and stock information.
  • Begin working on hw for Tuesday
    • 17 Sep - Thur
  • ****Test 1**** study guide
    • 15 Sep - Tues
  • Read through the test 1 study guide and write down any questions.
  • Take a try of ASULearn Review Questions [participation requires at least one try of the "quiz", but the specific grade does not matter - it is only there to provide you with feedback.]
    • 14 Sep - Mon
  • Read through the following and take notes:
    1. An article I wrote for Mathematics Awareness Month: The Shape of the Universe
    2. Gluing Spaces
  • Begin working on hw for Tuesday
    • 10 Sep - Thur
  • (To turn in) Review the class highlights page and your notes, reflect, and list all instances from this segment as related to the themes of:
    a. what mathematics is,
    b. what it has to offer and why it is useful,
    c. the diverse ways that people succeed in it and impact it,
    d. local to global theme,
    e. truth and consequenses theme.
    • 8 Sep - Tues
  • Read and take notes on Heart of Mathematics Section 4.7 (The Fourth Dimension)
  • Read through the following and write down two items that you found interesting, disagreed with, had a question on, or wished had been done: Jeff Weeks Interview
    • 3 Sep - Thur
  • Read and take notes on Heart of Mathematics Section 4.6 (The Shape of Reality)
    • 1 Sep - Tues
  • Bring a 10-12 inch diameter child's ball (one per group of your neighbors is fine)- these are usually found in bins in stores and cost a couple of dollars. Be sure that this ball is smooth, can bounce, and that you will not mind writing on it during class.
  • ****Project 1: Earth and Universe - Annotated Bibliography**** is due if you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete.
    • 31 Aug - Mon
  • Continue working on project 1 (if you have decided that this is one of the projects you will complete).
    • 27 Aug - Thur
  • Review material from class on Tuesday and write down any questions
  • To turn in: Choose a question and begin looking for at least two different perspectives for project 1 due 9/1 [for the project itself you are looking for as many diverse and contradictory perspectives as possible, including scholarly and nonscholarly references and books]
    • 25 Aug - Tues
  • Go to ASULearn and send me a posting in the private forum (only you and Dr. Sarah): what you would like to be called (your nickname / first name); your phone number; your major; any additional academic concentrations/minors; whether you are or have been affiliated with Watauga Residential College, what you might like to do as a career; your non-academic interests and hobbies; anything else you want me to know
  • On ASULearn add a picture of yourself (Profile) so that it is easier to get to know each other.
  • Review class notes and the class highlights webpage from last week and bring your i-clicker to class.
  • If you did not complete the Mathematical Experiences Reflection on ASULearn during the first lab (or any other work from last week due to a later registration), then finish that via the class highlights page.
    • 24 Aug - Mon
  • Go through the 2D Universes Readings and Videos and take notes (which may take the form of informal written notes, highlighting and/or underlining) in preparation for lab.
    • 20 Aug - Thur
  • Read through Project 1 due on 9/1 and write down any questions.
  • Obtain from the bookstore: purchase the How Do You Know? workbook and the i-clicker and rent the hardcover Heart of Mathematics book.
  • Obtain a scientific calculator (with a yx, xy, or ^ key on it)
  • Bring the i-clicker and calculator to all classes. Bring books to classes when we have readings or problems due from them.
    • 18 Aug - Tues
  • Read through the Syllabus online (google Dr. Sarah...) Come prepared to share something you read and write down any questions you have - the university considers this a binding contract between us.
  • If you did not complete the Excel portion of the lab, then do so (it is on the class highlights page)
    • 17 Aug - Mon
  • First lab