Project 1: Due Tuesday

Mathematical Experiences Reflections

Over the course of the semester, we will link the course topics using themes: what mathematics is, what it has to offer, why it is useful, and the diverse ways that people can be successful at mathematics (including you!). The purpose of this assignment is an introduction to these themes as they apply to your past experiences.
  1. You are probably taking this course as part of a general education requirement. All students must satisfy a math requirement, although they might choose from a number of very different courses to do so, such as precalculus, calculus, or this class. With this in mind, ie that each of these courses covers very different material, what common skills central to your intellectual development do you think society expects students to take away from any of these college level mathematics courses? In addition, why do you think mathematics is required as a core requirement?
  2. What do you think mathematics is (ie use your own ideas to define mathematics)?
  3. Describe a mathematical experience you had that was rewarding for you. In addition, summarize the related mathematics by giving specific examples.
  4. Think back to the first mathematical experience you had that was destructive to your mathematical self-confidence. (We have all had such experiences - even Dr. Sarah!) Describe this experience. In addition, summarize the related mathematics by giving specific examples.
  5. In the last question, you explored a negative mathematical experience. If you could rewrite your role in that experience in order to prevent it from being destructive to your mathematical self-confidence what would you change about your behavior and/or reactions?
You may wish to be creative in the presentation of your personal reflection - a movie file, a narrative or poem, written as a newspaper interview, etc, but it must be formal speech or writing and it must something that you can turn in. If it can be printed out, be sure that it is typed. If it is a movie or audio file, turn in a cd or dvd (or bring me a copy via a USB pen drive in office hours).

Grammar and spelling or professional speech are important. Your grade will be based on the clarity, depth, and creativity of your responses.

Be sure to give acknowledgement to any references where it is due.