Teaching Geometry in an age of technology: perspectives for the 21st century
Supervisor: Patricia Cretchley
Description: Changing views on what degree of rigour and formal proof is appropriate at different levels in the learning of mathematics, and the advent of user-friendly, visually appealing, and persuasive technology tools for exploring concepts in geometry, have contributed to new trends in curricula, and classroom approaches. This course examines curriculum trends in relation to the needs of current professions, examines the role of computer software in the teaching of geometry at all levels, and critically surveys the range of software tools (Logo, Geometer's Sketchpad, Cabri, for example) to identify strengths and weaknesses. The influence of new trends, and technology in particular, on student-teacher relationships, classroom patterns, students' views of what constitutes a "proof", and appropriate stages for introducing rigour, are discussed. Computer access and equity issues at all levels are also raised for debate, and discussion in the course is stimulated by the ICMI, 1998, Study: "Perspectives on the Teaching of Geometry for the 21st Century".
Prerequisites: TBA
Main text: TBA
Some potential study topics
| What is Maths? Ron Addie | Attitude and belief Patricia Cretchley | Computer Algebra Ed Patricia Cretchley | Assessment issues Patricia Cretchley |
| Education research? Patricia Cretchley | Bridge gaps Patricia Cretchley | Gender equity Patricia Cretchley | Teaching geometry Patricia Cretchley |
| Math history Patricia Cretchley | Gen Lin Models Peter Dunn | Bayesian stats Paul Fahey | Survey sampling Ashley Plank |
| Maths Methods Tony Roberts | Quantum Computing Tony Roberts | Water waves Tony Roberts | Games theory Tony Roberts |
| Parallel numerics Tony Roberts | Hydro stability Sergey Suslov | Math Biology Sergey Suslov | Banach spaces Oleksiy Yevdokimov |
| Fundamental Maths Education Oleksiy Yevdokimov | Number history Oleksiy Yevdokimov |