Admission requirements
Numeracy I is a pre-requisite for the course Mathematical Modelling (level 200). It is a compulsory course for all first year students.
Description
‘Numeracy’ introduces all students to mathematics and its applications in real-world situations. Part I of the course focuses on activating the mathematical skills and knowledge that you have acquired in school, so that it can be useful to you during your studies and thereafter. The emphasis will be on the development and maximization of your mathematical problem solving skills. We will describe and exemplify the distinct phases that you encounter when developing arguments and predictions about reality, and show effective strategies for use in each of these stages. Furthermore, we will present a method for reviewing and improving your problem-solving behaviour.
This part of the course will form the basis of Part II, which focuses on the scientific application of mathematical concepts and techniques, and their empirical validation.
Course objectives
The goal of the course is that you will be able to apply the mathematical knowledge that you already possess effectively during your studies and work, and acquire new mathematical knowledge more efficiently. You will learn how to make a start working on any problem, how to attack it effectively, how to learn from it, and how to pose your own questions. You will learn how to keep a research journal, using RUBRICs, and how to use such notes to improve your problem solving skills.
Timetable
Please see the LUC website: www.lucthehague.nl
Mode of instruction
In each week the focus will be on one of the stages of the problem solving process, and its corresponding strategies. Class sample assignments will be used to illustrate and practice strategies. The work mode will vary, from working individually, in pairs, or in groups, to whole-class collaboration. To examine your own problem-solving behaviour and further practice application of strategies, you will initiate working on a specific problem in class, and continue working on it at home. Throughout the course you are required to keep a research journal, which will be used for monitoring by yourself and the teacher, and for formative feedback. In addition you will work on an individual project throughout the course, in synchrony with the different stages that are considered. Each week you will get feedback on the progress of your project according to the specific ‘stage of the week’, so you can adjust your work on the project accordingly. During reading week you will finalize your project and report, which will then be graded.
The course will be given for students of different levels. At the start of the course we will make an inventory of the mathematical knowledge, skills, and confidence of the different students in the class. Assignments will be either differentiated, or multi-level, in such a way that students of different levels find them challenging.
The problems we will work on are related to the mathematical contents of chapters 3 and 4 of the textbook, which will be studied during the first four weeks. During the remaining three weeks you will study one of the chapters 5,14,15,or 16 according to your preference and math skills level.
Assessment method
- Engaged understanding of course material: assessed through In-class participation (10% of final grade): ongoing weeks 1-7
- Development and improvement of problem solving skills: assessed through Journal entries (20% of final grade): ongoing Weeks 3,5,7 hand in at Beginning of class
- Functioning knowledge of previously acquired skills and knowledge: assessed through Online test based on chapters 3 and 4 (15% of final grade): Week 5, Sunday at 23:59
- Acquisition of new knowledge: assessed through Online test based on chapter of choice (15% of final grade): Week 8, Friday at 17:00
- Acquisition and application of problem solving strategies: assessed through Final project report (40% of final grade): Week 8 Friday at 17:00
Blackboard
This course is supported by a BlackBoard site
Reading list
Compulsory: Mathematics for the Nonmathematician. Morris Kline 1985. Dover publications, Inc. New York. This book will be used in both part I and part II of the course. Further resources will be provided through Blackboard as needed.
Registration
This course is only open for LUC The Hague students.
Contact information
p.haccou@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Weekly Overview
Week 1: Getting started;
Week 2: Phases of work – Entry, Review;
Week 3: Phases of work: Attack;
Week 4: Conjecturing;
Week 5: Justifying and convincing;
Week 6: Distilling and mulling;
Week 7: Questioning
Book chapter studies: Preparation chapters 1 and 2; Weeks 1 & 2: chapter 3; Weeks 3 & 4: chapter 4; Weeks 5 to 7: chapter of choice.
Preparation for first session
(I) You are required to keep a research journal throughout the course. Therefore, bring paper and writing material to class.
(II) Read through chapters 1 and 2 of the course book, and study the list of contents.
(III) As your first journal entry, write answers to the following questions: What do you find the most interesting about this course? What do you hope to gain from this course? What do you expect you can already do well in this context? Which chapter(s) of the book do you think are the most interesting/relevant to you?