Dr. Brian S. Lim

EDTE 220
Seminar in Mathematics Education

Goals | Resource Materials | Evaluation | Schedule

Course description from the CSUS catalog

Research of mathematical instruction trends, problems of teaching math and successful programs. 
Prerequisite: EDTE 304 or 386.

General Goal of Instruction

The purpose of this course is to provide awareness of issues relating to the teaching and learning of mathematics.  We will read, investigate, and discuss literatures regarding new ideas, theories, problems, and mathematics reform.

Resource Materials

·        Principles and Standards for School Mathematics by National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (You can order directly from 1-800-235-7566 or view at http://standards.nctm.org/document/index.htm)

·        Mathematics Framework for California Public Schools by California Department of Education (You can order directly from 1-800-995-4099 or view at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/pn/fd/documents/math-stnd.pdf)

Student Evaluation

You can check your progress report on the instructor’s web site.  It will be updated weekly.  In order to see your progress report, click the “Grade Reports” on the menu.  And then, type in your last name and the password.  The password is “00xxxx.”  xxxx is last four digits of your social security number.

1.      Attendance and class participation (20%): Attend all class sessions promptly and actively participate in class discussions in a courteous and professional manner.  One absence (missing more than half of the class) will be excused (three tardiness equals one absence and leaving early before the end of the class three times equals one absence).  Please contact the instructor if you have an extenuating circumstance beforehand, if possible, or as soon afterward as possible.  If you miss more than one class (excused or unexcused), you are required to take the final exam during the finals week.  The final exam is worth 20% of your final grade.  If you do not want to take the final exam, you need to make up the missed class time at one of the national or state math conferences.  Please ask the instructor for details. If you miss more than three classes, you will earn an incomplete for the final grade. 

2.      Journals (20%):  Briefly outline and discuss your observations and ideas useful and relevant to the weekly class readings and discussions (minimum one full page handwritten or 2/3 page typed in single space – size 12 font).  This is due each week.

3.      Sample Teaching (20%):  Prepare and teach two 15-20 minutes lesson to the class, exemplifying either inquiry/discovery or a laboratory approach to learning.  If a laboratory approach is presented, concrete materials are to be included.  Please print the lesson plan and give copy to each student in the class.

1.      Presentation (20%): Present and facilitate the classroom discussion on a topic of your choice.  Please make enough copies of an article to hand out one week before the presentation for your the classmates to read.

5.      Research paper (20%): A research paper (10-15 pages) on a topic of your choice.

*  All the assignments have to turn in on time.  The later assignment will lose one grade for each day it turned in late.

Class Schedule