Minutes for the Combined Mathematics Task Force 10/25/96

(Submitted by Lori Rosenthal NRG 34762)

Present:

RVS/PIN: Louise Hasty, Jerry Caples, Leonor Eklund, Bob Byrom, Ty Gormley, Tessa Henry, Susan Hord, Irie Glajar, Louis Lightsey, Cleaburn Zwernemann, Constance Elko, Ted Rachofsky

NRG/CYP: Dan Dewberry, Kimberly Kelton, Grey Tarkenton, Mike Huff, Nancy Miller,John Thomason, Marc McGuff, Clarence McGuff, Elgin Schilhab, Rosemary Kelly, Bob Leibman, David Fonken, Bob Quigley, Mary Parker, Paul Williams, Juan Molina, Lori Rosenthal

RGC: Herb Ling, Mary Wilson, Ferne Mizell, Dennis Allison, Wayne Rogers, Vince McGarry, Irene Doo, John Stormberg, Tony Vance, Tom Bird, Dean Becker, Steve Rodi, Mike Dellens

Announcements: Irene Doo introduced two new part-time faculty representatives from RGC, John Stormberg and Herb Ling.

Part I: Brainstorming and Discussion on Course Objectives

For the first 45 minutes, we proposed topics and pedagogy for the calculus sequence. This was followed by discussion on the relative merits of same. There was no agreement on comprehensive course objectives. The notes on suggested course objectives are available by request (see Lori Rosenthal).

Part II: Where Do We Go From Here?

There was lively discussion of texts, teaching philosophy, "traditional" and "reform" approaches, concern for students academic and intellectual welfare, and other related issues. Also, Dean Becker(RGC) presented data about performance of students in Engineering Physics I. Good luck, Dean, and thanks.

On the question of "to change or not to change" the present text, the TF agreed on the following:

1. As a body, to consider alternatives to the current text.

2. It is preferred to agree on a single college-wide text.

  1. Such a text should incorporate reform elements.

These minutes were approved by the Task Force on February 28, 1997.

This Web page was prepared by Mary Parker on April 9, 1997.