2006

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

NEMATYC 2005 was held at Southern New Hampshire University on Friday and Saturday, April 21, 22, 2005. The theme was "Building A Better Math Class". The conference co-chairs were David Cox and Alec Ingraham, both of SNHU.

Besides a great program, attendees had an opportunity to visit a Frank Lloyd Wright house, the Zimmerman House, as tours during dinner.

Montage of Conference Photos

Conference Photos

Our Hosts

David Cox and Alec Ingraham

Alec, Chris Toy, Kathy Willis

Executive Committee - 2005-2006
President	Elaine Previte	Bristol Community College
Vice President	Andrew Perry	Springfield College
Past President	Maureen Woolhouse	Quinsigamond Community College
Secretary	Carol Hay	Middlesex Community College
Treasurer	Lois Martin	Massasoit Community College
Webmaster	Rick Butterworth	Massasoit Community College
Newsletter Editor	Philip Mahler	Middlesex Community College
Newsletter Production Editor	Judy Carter	North Shore Community College
At-Large Member	Carol Henry	Middlesex Community College
At-Large Member	Bonnie Wicklund	Mt. Wachusett Community College
Membership	Susan Hoy	Johnson & Wales University
Membership	Ted Panitz	Cape Cod Community College
Conference Co-Chair	David Cox	Southern New Hampshire University
Conference Co-Chair	Alec Ingraham	Southern New Hampshire University

Minutes

NEMATYC Annual Meeting
Southern New Hampshire University
April 22, 2006

The meeting was convened at 3:35 PM by Elaine Previte, NEMATYC President

Thanks
Thanks to David Cox and Alec Ingraham for the wonderful meeting
Old Business
1. The Treasurer's report was distributed and accepted
2. The Secretary's report will be submitted at a later date
New Business
1. AMATYC Regional Vice President Maryann Justinger briefly addressed the meeting.
2. The following Bylaw changes were approved:
3. Elections
  1. President: Andrew Perry
  2. Vice President: Carol Henry
  3. Secretary: Dora Ottariano
  4. Member At-large: Lauren Brewer - 1 year
  5. Member At-large: Curtis Mitchell - 2 years
  6. Member At-large: Javad Moulai - 2 years
4. Beyond Crossroads
Other

Steve Krevisky asked if there was any interest in a regional meeting that would include New York, New England, Connecticut and Canada. A straw poll was taken and the results indicated a fair amount of interest in such a meeting. Discussion about timing included the issue of not competing geographically with the national AMATYC meeting.
Steve announced that the upcoming International Conference on Teaching Statistics would take place this summer in Brazil.
Steve also encouraged people to attend the next International Conference on Math Education which will be held in 2 years in Monterey, Mexico; there will be a session on international math education at the AMATYC meeting in the Fall; there is hope that an AMATYC A-NET group could be formed on the topic of international math education.
Door prizes were given out

The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 PM

Respectfully submitted by Carol Hay, Secretary

Executive Committee - 2006-2007
President	Andrew Perry	Springfield College
Vice President	Carol Henry	Middlesex Community College
Past President	Elaine Previte	Bristol Community College
Secretary	Dora Ottariano	Middlesex Community College
Treasurer	Lois Martin	Massasoit Community College
Webmaster	Rick Butterworth	Massasoit Community College
Newsletter Editor	Philip Mahler	Middlesex Community College
Newsletter Production Editor	Judy Carter	North Shore Community College
At-Large Member	Lauren Brewer	Springfield Technical Com Clg
At-Large Member	Curtis Mitchell	Greenfield Community College
At-Large Member	Javad Moulai	Roxbury Community College
At-Large Member	Bonnie Wicklund	Mt. Wachusett Community College
Membership	Susan Hoy	Johnson & Wales University
Membership	Ted Panitz	Cape Cod Community College
Conference Co-Chair	David Cox	Southern New Hampshire University
Conference Co-Chair	Alec Ingraham	Southern New Hampshire University

TREASURER'S REPORTS

NEMATYC
Treasurer's Report
4/22/06

Bank Account Balance, March 15, 2005
$10,691.58

INCOME:

Interest

$218.78

Membership

60.00

Scholarship Fund

304.00

$582.78

EXPENSES:

Newsletter Expenses

$780.30

Executive Board Meetings

216.62

AMATYC Hospitality Sponsor

200.00

AMATYC 2005 Support for NEMATYC President

500.00

NEMATYC 2005

500.00

Member reimbursement for overpayment 90.00

NEMATYC 2006

500.00

$2,786.92

Bank Account Balance, March 15, 2006

$8,487.44

Respectfully submitted,
Lois A. Martin
Treasurer

Historic End of Year Balances

Date	Bank Balance
3/15/98	$2,560.41
3/15/99	3,496.69
3/15/00	4,476.02
3/15/01	6,452.94
3/15/02	8,611.19
3/15/03	9,103.56
3/15/04	10,109.98
3/15/05	10,691.58
3/15/06	8,487.44

CONFERENCE PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS

Friday

Teaching Mathematics to Art College Students

Ben Blum, Massachusetts College Of Art
In order to give art college students a meaningful experience of mathematics, I have made two innovations: (1) teaching a simplified version of Godel’s Theorem and (2) having students make, along with written work, art which demonstrates what they have learned. In this presentation, my methods, successes, and challenges will be described.

Concept Map Scoring: Performance Based and Relative Achievement Methods

Bradford Allen, Lasell College
A concept map is a hierachical diagram that reflects how knowledge is organized. Concept maps are frequently used to evaluate science and math knowledge and are generally accepted as viable evaluation and research instruments. Because concept map constructions measure students’ understandings of the relationships between concepts in various mathematical areas, concept maps provide an alternative to traditional testing instruments.

Redesigning College Algebra Delivery from Direct Instruction to a Computer Environment

Brian Beaudrie, Plymouth State University
This presentation will explain in detail the effort at one university when it changed its delivery of College Algebra from a traditional lecture course to one that was technology based in nature, and present research findings that discuss academic performance and student impressions as a result of the change.

Graphing Calculator Projects for Algebra

Barbara Boschmans, Plymouth State University
Join me in this hands-on workshop to explore algebra activities with TI-83(and TI 84) calculators. We will explore linear, quadratic and cubic equations through three activities ready to take into your classroom! Some prior graphing calculator skills required (if you have a TI-83/84, please bring it).

Motivating Math Learning with Robotic Brains

Lundy Lewis, Southern New Hampshire University
We are constantly looking for ways to motivate students to be interested in math. In this talk we'll look at robotic brains, the sort of application that deals with the "smarts" of real robots or the sort of robots we see in Hollywood movies such as "I, Robot" and "Artificial Intelligence." It turns out that robotic brains are based on artificial neural networks (ANNs), which are the representations of what we know about the human brain. Further, ANNs are math intensive, involving common methods in linear algebra. The speaker will lecture on robotic brains and ANNs, including the math component. Afterward, we all will discuss whether robotic brains are a math motivator.

Exploring Calculus, A Guided Discovery Approach

Joanna Kowsakowski, Lasell College
Students who have the opportunity to make their own discoveries will surely be more motivated, more invested in their own learning and more successful students of mathematics. This workshop will review a manual designed to guide beginning calculus students as they make their own discoveries about the important relationships inherent in mathematics. The activities focus on teaching students to formulate cogent definitions, clearly articulate their ideas, understand how mathematics is used in real-world applications, develop evidence to support their arguments, use visualization to draw valid conclusions and work effectively with others. In other words, they will be doing the work of mathematicians.

Saturday

Web Based Homework, Quizzing and Course Management for Mathematics

Kevin O’Brien, Addison Wesley and Prentice Hall (Commercial Presentation)
During this presentation, the Addison Wesley and Prentice-Hall representatives will present two web-based resources being offered with their math texts, MathXL and MyMathLab. These web resources would be of interest to instructors looking to offer easily accessed online homework, quizzes, practice problems and tutorials to enhance a traditional course, as well as those teaching hybrid and online courses. Both these resources correlate directly with the scope and sequence of math texts that Addison Wesley and Prentice-Hall publishes.

Early American Arithmetic and Algebra Books

Andrew Perry, Springfield College
Selected Early American mathematics textbooks will be discussed, with emphasis on nineteenth century algebra and arithmetic textbooks. Special attention will be paid to features which would strike the modern reader as curious, such as the tendency to describe algebraic procedures verbally rather than symbolically.

An Introduction to Symmetry in Science

David Mello, Johnson & Wales University
An introductory presentation of basic symmetry concepts, such as symmetry transformations, and simple symmetry groups, along with elementary applications of the same to help analyze basic problems in general science and Physics.

Using Excel In Finite Mathematics

Florence Chambers, Toni Parise, Southern Maine Community College
This workshop includes the following topics: entering and graphing functions, using the Chart Wizard to find the best fit for data and the corresponding regression equation, using Goal Seek on the Compound Interest formula and equilibrium problems, performing matrix operations, and using SOLVER for Linear Programming problems. Previous knowledge of EXCEL is not required.

ThomsonNow

Michael Lee, Brooks Cole Publisher (Commercial Presentation)
ThomsonNow offers a personalized online learning companion that helps students gauge their unique study needs and makes the most of their study time by building focused personalized learning plans that reinforce key concepts. This new resource will help your students diagnose their concept weaknesses and focus their studies to make their efforts efficient and effective. Pre-Tests give students an initial assessment of their knowledge. Personalized Learning Plans, based upon the students' performance on the pre-test quiz, outline key learning needs and organize materials specific to those needs. Post-Tests assess student mastery of core chapter concepts; results can be emailed to the instructor!

Assigning Authentic Test Grades

Michael Cullinane, Keene State College
How confident are we that the grade we assign a student on a test matches the grade the student truly deserves (i.e., has earned)? For instance, if we assign an “86” and we intend to interpret this as a “B”, is the interpretation truly valid? Largely this is a matter of the degree to which our assessment of student work is calibrated to our expectations and the institutional grading scale. We will discuss a holistic assessment scheme designed to maximize the chances of assigning test grades that appropriately reflect both instructor expectations and institutional grading guidelines.

Coincidences: Can statistics explain this phenomena?

Eiki Satake, Philip Amato, Emerson College
The paper illustrates basic statistical techniques and probabilistic reasoning for studying coincidences in our everyday life. These include (1) data gathering methods such as case studies, observational studies, and experiments, and (2) methods of analysis such as probabilistic modeling and special analytic techniques. We will ask, “What is the mathematical cause that creates coincidences?”

Intersection: Psychology and the Math Classroom in Two-Year Colleges

Phyllis Lurvey, Hesser College
Students who populate a majority of two- year college math classrooms may be understood through the lens of theories and research from the field of psychology. Focusing particularly on students below the pre-calculus level, this presentation will highlight issues of cognitive and psychosocial development, motivation and memory.

Use of Technology in a Mathematics Classroom

Roberta Kieronski, University of New Hampshire – Manchester
Learn how to use the "apps" key on your TI 83/84 calculator. Classroom worksheets which require some writing and interpretation by students will be shared. A Smart View will be used. Bring your own calculator.

The Model Drawing Approach to Problem Solving in the Developmental Mathematics Classroom

Walter Stone, North Shore Community College
During problem solving, developmental mathematics students find it easier to convert words to a diagram, and then the diagram into algebraic expressions or equations. Model drawing, the systematic use of iconic representations to represent unknowns in problem situations, will be introduced to solve problems involving whole numbers, fractions, ratios, rates, and percentages. In addition, these diagrams are especially useful in illustrating comparison problems.

The Planimeter – the Practice of Finding the Area Under a Curve

Philip Mahler, Middlesex Community College
You sketch a curve y = f(x). You don’t have an equation which describes it. How do you approximate the definite integral to a high degree of accuracy? The planimeter is a “simple” mechanical instrument which is widely used in the “real” world to find the area inside a closed curve of which you have a printed copy. Most math educators have never heard of it. What does it look like, how is it used? And what is a vernier scale, anyway?

Laboratory-Based Learning to Build Conceptual Understanding of Rational Numbers

Adele Miller, Central Connecticut State University
College students enrolled in a developmental mathematics course frequently do not have a conceptual understanding of rational numbers. One approach for building understanding is to provide weekly laboratory session for students to work in small groups on exercises, beginning with unit fractions. An additional component of the laboratory sessions is to have students explain their work in writing. This presentation will report on the success of this approach at a New England state university.

Join the Mathematics Across the Community College Curriculum Project

Kim Rheinlander, Dartmouth College
Join the MAC^3 project: show students & faculty that mathematics is everywhere & for everyone, reduce math anxiety, support lifelong learning & collaboration and revitalize your teaching. Also included: fresh mountain air in the summer, sunny beaches in the winter and stipends for all! Find out how to get involved!

Meeting the Challenge of Teaching Discrete Mathematics to the Nonmathematician

Linda Misener, Southern Maine Community College
It is often a challenge to teach the topics of Discrete Mathematics to students who have not had a rigorous mathematical background. Often we have to find a side door into this exciting field. For example, Boolean algebra is the study of operations carried out on variables that can only have two values. It is used in the study of both Logic and Sets. In this presentation we will discuss using switches to introduce and explore Boolean Algebra. If time permits we will also explore the use of flowcharts to study sequences, summation and matrices and to strengthen logical and analytical thinking.

Learn More About the Student Mathematics League and How to Start a Team

Lois Martin, Massasoit Community College
NEMATYC is establishing annual awards to be given to students who have participated in AMATYC’s Student Mathematics League (SML). Attend this session to learn more about the SML and how to get a team started at your school. You will have the opportunity to take part in a mock competition. Prizes will be given to the top scorers.

Who Are the Best Sluggers in Red Sox History?

Steve Krevisky, Middlesex Community College
Using mathematics and statistics, we will see who wins this title, be it Ted Williams, Manny Ramirez, Jimmie Foxx, or someone else? Using Slugging Averages, Runs Batted In, and z scores, we will be able to draw some conclusions about this. Come prepared to argue for your favorite hitter! Audience participation encouraged, and this presentation is intended for teachers of algebra, statistics and quantitative literacy.

HM Assess

Christopher Kelly, Houghton Mifflin (Commercial Presentation)
HM Assess is a new diagnostic assessment tool from Houghton Mifflin that tests core concepts in mathematics and provides students with access to individual study paths for self-remediation. These paths are carefully designed to offer self-study options and to appeal to a variety of learning styles through review of the Concept, interactive Lessons, similar Examples, and additional Practice exercises. Instructors can use HM Assess to quickly gauge which students are in jeopardy and which concepts to spend extra time reviewing.

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Program Committee

David Cox: Co-chairs
Alec Ingraham: Co-chair
Pamela Cohen
Vernon Tetley
Christopher Toy
Kathy Willis

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Registration List 2006

Last	First	Institution
Agarwalla	Rekha	Massasoit CC
Alfano	Joseph F.	Johnson and Wales University
Alfano	Shirley	Providence College
Allen	Brad	Lasell College
Amato	Philip	Emerson College
Arambel	Maria F.	North Shore CC
Balanovich	Lioudmila	UNH Manchester Learning Center
Bavelas	Kathleen	Gateway CC
Beaudrie	Brian	Plymouth State University
Bhalla	Ravi	MassBay CC
Bhatt	Vasu M.	Central Conn. State University
Biscula	Norma	University of Maine Augusta
Blanke	Ann W.	University Coll./U. of Maine (Augusta)
Blum	Ben	Mass. College of Art
Boschmans	Barbara A.	Plymouth State University
Bowdoin	Bernice	Bristol CC (retired)
Brewer	Lauren	Springfield Tech. CC
Cabral	Mary B.	Middlesex CC, (MA) Ret.
Cameron	Dwayne	Massasoit CC
Carter	Judith	North Shore CC
Chambers	Florence	Southern Maine CC
Cherduville	Stephane	Massasoit CC
Cohen	Pamela	Southern New Hampshire University
Cooney	Richard	Johnson and Wales University
Cote	Ronald	Southern Maine CC
Cotter	Alex	Massasoit CC
Cox	David	Southern New Hampshire University
Cullinane	Mike	Keene State College
Curley	Geri	Bunker Hill CC
Demers	Roberta	Dean College
DeSantis	Lynne C.	Hesser College
Dinto	Elaine	Naugatuck Valley CC
Dunbury	Erika	Massasoit CC
Duston	Mark	Johnson and Wales University
Falcone	Elaine	Mount Wachusett CC
Flaherty	Neil J.	Daniel Webster College
Gibson	Seth	Community College of Vermont
Gilcreast	David	Pelham High School
Giumarra	Jim	Benjamin Franklin Inst. of Technology
Gustafson	Katherine	Bunker Hill CC
Harlan	James	Pinkerton Academy
Hay	Carol	Middlesex CC (MA)
Heath	Ruth	New Hampshire Technical Institute
Henry	Carol	Middlesex CC (MA)
Henry	David	Massasoit CC
Hildonen	Kirsten	UNH Manchester Learning Center
Hirschy	Patricia L.	Asnuntuck CC
Holden	Nicole	Kennebec Valley CC
Horton	Leslie	Quinsigamond CC
Hoy	Susan	Bristol CC
Ingraham	Alec	Southern New Hampshire University
Jacobs	John	Mass Bay CC (retired)
Justinger	Maryann	Erie CC
Karnowski	Joseph F.	Norwalk CC
Keating	Jack	Massasoit CC
Kieronski	Roberta	UNH Manchester
Kinsman	Julianne	Springfield Tech CC
Kolesnik	Michael	Community College of Vermont
Kosakowski	Joanna	Lasell College
Krevisky	Steve	Middlesex CC (CT)
Kuehn	Rosalie	Pinkerton Academy
Laferriere	Donna	UNH Manchester Learning Center
Lapierre	Evelina G.	Johnson and Wales University
Laverty	Paul J.	Mount Wachusett CC
Levasseur	Nick	UNH Manchester Learning Center
Libova	Rita	Mount Wachusett
Lloyd-Evans	Mary	New Hampshire Technical Institute
Luca	Magdalena	Mass. College of Pharmacy
Lurvey	Phyllis	Hesser College
Mahler	Philip	Middlesex CC (MA)
Martin	Cliff	Massasoit CC
Martin	Lois	Massasoit CC
Masagutova	Rumiya	North Shore CC
Mase	Jesse	Southern Maine CC
Mason	Billy	Massasoit CC
Mazmanian	Charles	Johnson and Wales University
Mello	David C.	Johnson and Wales University
Mihok	Sonia	Manchester CC
Miller	Adele M.	Central Connecticut State University
Misener	Linda	Southern Maine CC
Mitchell	Curtis	Greenfield CC
Mogan-Vallon	Mary	Middlesex CC (MA)
Moore	Derrick	Gateway CC
Murphy	Jane	Middlesex CC (MA)
O'Connell	Robert	Mass Bay CC
Oster	Joyce E.	Johnson and Wales University
Ottariano	Dora	Middlesex CC (MA)
Parise	Louise(Toni)	Southern Maine CC
Pazdar	John	Asnuntuck CC
Perry	Andrew	Springfield College
Post	David L.	Benjamin Franklin Inst. of Technology
Previte	Elaine A.	Bristol CC
Reith	Bette	New Hampshire CTC
Rheinlander	Kim	Dartmouth College
Robert	Laurence	Community College of Vermont
Rosa	Domenico	Post University
Rottmann	Linda	University of Maine Orono
Satake	Eiki	Emerson College
Schettenhelm	Rachael	Gateway CC
Shea	Ryan	Massasoit CC
Sime	Jana	Manchester CC MS#17
Simhan	Shubhangi	Quinsigamond CC
Snyder	Kerryn	Massasoit CC
Stone	Walter E.	North Shore CC
Swans	Paul	Massasoit CC
Takvorian	Kenneth	Mount Wachusett CC
Tataronis	Gary	Mass. College of Pharmacy
Tetley	Vernon	Southern New Hampshire University
Ton Ferullo	Barbara A.	Bunker Hill CC
Toy	Christopher	Southern New Hampshire University
Vallese	Carmine J.	Johnson and Wales University
Verma	Arun K.	Hampton University Dept. of Math
Wicklund	Bonnie	Mount Wachusett CC
Williamson	Michael	Middlesex CC (MA)
Willis	Kathy	Southern New Hampshire University
Woods	Emily S.	Southern Maine CC
Woolhouse	Maureen	Quinsigamond CC
Zannella	Edward	CCRI Flanagan Campus