Annual Conference 2016
Session Details
FRIDAY, APRIL 8TH
Lunch
Friday 12:00 – 12:50, Garden Courtyard
Randomization-based Statistics Versus Traditional Statistics
Presenter: Sean Simpson, Westchester CC
Presider: Sophia Georgiakaki, Tompkins-Cortland, CC
There is a growing movement among statistics instructors to make use of randomization-based methods. In this talk, the presenter will demonstrate an example or two using these methods, just as he has in his own classroom over the last few semesters, as well as why he believes this methodology is better than the “traditional” methodology
Writing in Math? Seriously?
Presenters: Rachel Santiago, Monroe CC and Karen Wells, Monroe CC
Presider: Tim Biehler, FLCC
Karen and Rachel will be demonstrating the benefits of incorporating informal and formal writing activities in a mathematics classroom. Attendees will be given the opportunity to explore the various strategies for creating said activities, and will be provided takeaways that can be used in their own classes.
Five Minutes to a More Satisfying Course
Presenter: Pat McKeague, MathTV.com
Presider: Ernie Danforth, Corning CC
Too many topics, too little time? Give yourself a five-minute break and see what you can accomplish. Invite your students to become community college instructors, share what brought you to mathematics, and give a view of mathematics that unites cultures and disciplines. All this and more, five minutes at a time.
Mathematics – The Sharp Tool That Digs Up Scientific Truths
Presenter: Larry Josbeno, Corning CC
Presider: Sean Simpson, Westchester CC
In 1963, Murray Gell-Mann presented a Mathematical Model for fundamental particles. This morphed into the “Standard Model”; the first elements of proof came in 1976, the last piece came recently at the LHC (Large Hadron Collider). This presentation will focus on these discoveries.
Statistically Significant Secrets to Success: An Interactive Workshop to Share YOUR Teaching Tips for Statistics!
Presenters: Lori Barrett, Corning CC and Phil Loud, Corning CC
Presider: Karen Wells, Monroe CC
Come ready to tell us all about your innovative, interactive, imaginative, and inventive ideas for teaching Elementary Statistics! This workshop is a platform for us to see what’s happening in each others’ classrooms. Bring us your cool data sources, engaging activities, helpful worksheets, illustrative examples, technology gizmos, or even just silly stories to share with the participants. The presenters will share their own tried-and-true favorites.
XYZ Textbooks: Not Your Traditional Publisher
Presenters: Pat McKeague, XYZ Textbooks
Presider: Larry Danforth, Jefferson CC
XYZ Textbooks was started in 2010 with the mission of offering high quality textbooks at reasonable prices, but we are much more than that now. Come see how we integrate our print books, eBooks, videos, and homework system to offer students the best chance for success.
Break
Friday 3:00 – 3:15
Randomization-Based Inference: The New Statistics!
Presenters: Philip Loud, Corning CC
Presider: Bernard Dillard, FIT
The key to introducing concepts of statistical inference early and often is to adopt a randomization-based approach to statistical inference. This approach makes use of modern computing power and puts the logic of statistical inference at the center of the curriculum. Using StatKey and Java Applets as our simulation tools, we will investigate real-world statistical studies taken from Robin Lock’s Unlocking the Power of Data and Nathan Tintle’s Introduction to Statistical Investigations.
Collaboration to Save the Day
Presenters: Karen Wells, Monroe CC and Racheal Santiago, Monroe CC
Presider: Lori Barrett, Corning CC
Karen and Rachel will be demonstrating the importance of collaboration amongst mathematics faculty members and the effectiveness of faculty collaboration on student performance and activity design. Attendees will be given takeaways and an opportunity to collaborate on the development of an activity for use in their classrooms.
Computational Education – The End of Expensive Text Books
Presenters: Deidre Lam, Computational Class Notes and Professor Madani Naidjate, Boston University
Presider: Jack Koenka, Ryerson University
The presentation will share the real experiences of working with Ryerson University and other colleges in Canada and Boston University in the US. The presentation will provide an overview of the issues faced by the Universities and specific details as to how the issues were solved. There will be a real life demo of the technology with room of Q & A. We encourage and want audience engagement.
The Write Thing to Do: Strengthening Student Comprehension in Undergraduate Statistics Classes
Presenters: Bernard L. Dillard, FIT
Presider: Phil Loud, Corning CC
Infusing writing in math classes continues to gain traction in the 21st century, providing an alternative way that students show content mastery and helping reduce math anxiety. What happens to final exam scores when students write a paper versus taking a traditional third exam? The presenter shares his shocking results.
Mindset: Can This Impact the Mathematics Classroom
Presenter: Ernie Danforth, Corning CC
Presider: Kate Danforth, Corning CC
Stanford psychologist Dr. Carol Dwerk coined the terms growth mindset and fixed mindset to describe beliefs regarding qualities such as talent and ability.
The presenter will describe these in more detail and lead a discussion as to how these may impact the mathematics classroom.
Innovative, Interactive Electronic Notebook (Textbook) in Introductory Calculus
Presenter: Jack Koenka, Ryerson University
Presider: Pat McKeague, MathTV.com
Calculus is dynamic. We would like to demonstrate an electronic notebook for a full course in Introductory Calculus that allows for student experimentation and investigation. Whether in the text, homework or practice problems we use CDF player and Wolfram Cloud to make our material available on mobile devices and laptops with great clarity.
Music, Art & More, Oh My! Incorporating Student Projects into Your Liberal Arts Survey Course
Presenter: Lori Barret, Corning CC
Presider: Janis Mazza, Nassau CC
Let me show you how I’ve invigorated my liberal arts mathematics courses by having students work on individual mathematics projects that incorporate their individual strengths and interests. Students become more personally engaged in the curriculum as they apply course topics to their interests in music, art, literature, theater, marketing, cooking, sewing, and even shopping! All of their industrious efforts culminate in a Poster Session held during the last week of the semester, where the students get a chance to mingle over pizza and check out their classmates’ efforts. Paper and digital copies of my project guidelines and grading rubric will be available to participants.
Executive Board Meeting
Friday 5:30-6:00, Gazebo Room
Cocktail Half-Hour
Friday 6:00-6:30, ?
Dinner
Friday 6:30-7:45, Plaza Ballroom
Scholarship Winners Announced
Ignite NYSMATYC
Friday 8:00-9:00, Plaza Ballroom
SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH
Pythagorean Theorem in Spherical Geometry
Presenter: Valerie Tapia, University at Buffalo
Presider: Michael Helinger, Clinton CC
Pythagorean Theorem is traditionally taught in planar geometry, and thus many students lack geometric reasoning skills about the spherical earth (e.g. Oceanic navigation, laying oil pipes across a continent, etc.) This presentation investigates how Pythagorean Theorem (SPT) manifests in the spherical geometric system, and adapts SPT to real life applications.
Promote communication with students by using text phone in a multi-variable calculus classroom
Presenter: Myungchul Kim, Suffolk CC
Presider: Tim Grosse, Jefferson CC
The use of classroom response systems can help student learning, engagement and perception during the class. They provide each student a chance to think about and respond to a question before hearing other students’ answer. Also, it can enlighten the instructor to sources of student difficulties. In this talk, the effective use of text phone when teaching multi-variable calculus will be presented.
The Mathematical Analysis of Cancer Risk in a Statistics Class
Presenter: Alexander Atwood, Suffolk CC
Presider: Amanda Bartels, Jamestown CC
In January of 2015, Tomasetti and Vogelstein published in Science Magazine a revolutionary, controversial and rigorous statistical analysis which showed that random mutations in the healthy stem cells within organs can explain two-thirds of cancers. Their mathematical analysis is a wonderful subject for exploration by students in a Statistics Class.
Bridging the GAP
Presenter: Beth Kane, Hudson Valley CC
Presider: Tom Reid, Broome CC
In accordance with NYS legislation, HVCC developed the GAP (Graduation, Achievement and Placement) program. The initiative aims to expedite the time to degree for students who enter post-secondary education with skills below the college level. This presentation is a summary of the program over the last two years.
Common Core: What does it look like and what does this mean for us?
Presenter: Erin Newton, Onondaga, CC
Presider: Patty Owens, Onondaga CC
Common Core is off and running in the secondary classrooms, and the first group of CC students will graduate in June 2017! Come see some of the tasks students are being asked and what changes have been made from the traditional high school courses and instruction.
MindTap Math Foundations: The Next Generation of Personalized Learning
Presenter: Robert Trent, Cengage
Presider: Shaun Rajan, Westchester CC
MindTap Math Foundations assesses individual students to make learning more efficient and effective. Using advancements in personalized learning with communication and gamification technology, MindTap engages students with conceptual material and helps motivate them to practice the skills they need for college-level work.
There is Time for Fun in Math Class
Presenter: Thomas Reid (Tom), Broome, CC
Presider: Ashley Martin, Jamestown CC
Taking advantage of the times when fun activities or examples can be used in class can improve student interest, participation and perhaps learning. This presentation focuses on different examples, tricks, and activities that lighten the mood and get students interested and involved, from developmental courses through calculus.
Getting Started with the Pathways with support from SUNY
Presenters: Eric Magaram, Rockland CC Mary Crawford-Mohat, Onondaga CC and Jennifer Miller, SUNY
Presider: Sara Taylor, Dutchess CC
SUNY is committed to increasing the persistence and completion rates of its college students. One SUNY initiative is the Pathways model (Quantway/Statway) established by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This session is focused on background and SUNY support of the effort with time for questions.
Math League Problems Pre-Algebra Students Can Do!
Presenter: Sophia Georgiakaki, Tompkins Cortland CC
Presider: Myungchul Kim, Suffolk CC
It’s never too early to start thinking mathematically. Math League problems lend themselves to excellent mathematical puzzles for our TC3 Pre-Algebra students, who learn number concepts without a calculator.
Changing Lanes: PATHWAYS Momentum and Success
Presenters: Michelle Renda, VP Marketing, National, Pearson Math and Allison Tierney, Content & Technology Consultant, New York, Pearson Math
Presider: Heather Huntington, Nassau CC
Discussion of trends across NY leading to great innovations in math education content and technology. The Pathways movement is pushing us at Pearson to create new models and solutions to support the ever-evolving instructor and student needs. We are excited to share with you some of these stories of success, where we are today, and where we are headed.
Topics from AMATYC
Presenter: Ernie Danforth, Corning CC
Presider: Julie Croteau, Corning CC
AMATYC’s NE Region Vice President, Ernie Danforth will discuss items of interest and importance for NYSMATYC members. He will have just returned from the Spring Executive Board meeting in Memphis, so be among the first to hear about news from the national organization
OER Use and Results in Intermediate Algebra
Presenter: Sophia Georgiakaki, Tompkins Cortland CC
Presider: Alexander Atwood, Suffolk CC
The history and experience of using OER at Tompkins Cortland CC will be shared with participants. Statistics of student success and textbook cost savings will be presented, as well as future initiatives at TC3.
Break
Please Visit Vendor Exhibits
Business Meeting
Saturday 11:15-12:00, Plaza Ballroom CD
Lunch
Saturday 12:00 – 1:00
Estimation Run Winners Announced
Teaching a Prestatistics Course: Propelling Non-STEM Students Forward
Presenter: Jay Lehmann, College of San Mateo
Presider: Jay Hurlburt, Corning CC
Many colleges are propelling non-STEM students through math programs by creating a path-to-stats course, which can be taken in place of elementary and intermediate algebra. Innovative use of density histograms, interpretation of statistical concepts, and compelling collaborative activities can greatly enhance students’ understanding and eventual success in a statistics course.
Just what is the “Sum” of an Infinite Series?
Presenter: Richard Evans, Corning CC
Presider: Hatesh Radia, Corning CC
When an infinite series converges to a finite sum, what does this really mean? Does it mean the sum of the infinite terms exactly equals that finite sum, or does is simply mean that it satisfies the definition of convergence? The presenter will argue the former, but only under certain circumstances. A popular game of chance will be used to support that position. Participants will practice playing this game in small groups, and the presenter will use probability to connect the finite with the infinite.
McGraw Hill – Presentation
Presenter: Alina Coronel, Miami Dade
Presider: Pam Smith, Jefferson CC
Increasing Student Success through Acceleration, Engagement and Customized Remediation with ALEKS
The Win-Win-Win-Win Situation at The Center for Community Studies at Jefferson
Presenters: Joel Lalone, Jefferson CC and Larry Danforth, Jefferson CC
Presider: Donna Stevenson, Jefferson CC
The Students, Faculty, NNY Community, and College all Win through the research completed with students taking statistics courses
What is in Carnegie’s Quantway Curriculum?
Presenter: Mary Crawford-Mohat, Onondaga CC
Presider: Rich Evans, Corning CC
Experience part of Carnegie’s Quantway curriculum, take a look at what is in the course and determine if this pathway is the right fit for your college.
The Mathematics of GPS
Presenters: Chris Roethel, Nassau CC and Mahmood Pournazari, Nassau CC
Presider: Jane-Marie Wright, Suffolk CC
A simplified look at the Mathematics involved in GPS Navigation.
Break
Saturday 3:00 – 3:30
Please Visit Vendor Exhibits
Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles
Presenters: Kate Danforth, Corning CC and Larry Danforth, Jefferson CC
Presider:
Back again for the ?th year. Teams of 4 compete in a puzzle contest. Create a team ahead of time or join others at the session. Come and play for fun and prizes!
Experiences Teaching Quantway for the First Time
Presenters: Mary E. Crawford-Mohat, Onondaga CC, Alexander Atwood, Suffolk CC
Presider:
A panel of professors will share their first semester experiences teaching Quantway. The discussion will also include course adoption and enrollment challenges. The panel will be moderated by an experienced Quantway teacher. There will be time for Q & A.
Remedial math at DCC: Two Paths Possible, and Algebra in 1-credit Pieces
Presenter: Sara Taylor, Dutchess CC
Presider: Michael White, Jefferson CC
Dutchess Community College began offering Mathematical Literacy for College Students in Fall, 2011 and DCC began offering Intermediate Algebra as a series of three 1-credit courses in Fall, 2012. This presentation will discuss the changes that DCC made, and also present data on pass rates in these courses and subsequent college-level math courses that our students have taken. DCC students are failing fewer remedial math credits, focusing on mathematics more relevant to their program of study, and succeeding in their college-level math courses at a rate equivalent to or better than our previous sequence.
Problematyc
Presenter: Ralph Selig, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Presider: Trevor Bradish, Jefferson CC
The presentation will demonstrate trivial and not-so-trivial problems that can be introduced in a liberal arts math class.
A Fuzzy-Minded Approach to Continuity
Presenters: Tim Biehler, Finger Lakes CC and Sean Maley, Finger Lakes CC
Presider: Russ Penner, Mohawk Valley CC
When continuity is presented rigorously, few introductory calculus students find their way through the quantifications to make any sense of it. The graphical presentation is more approachable, but continuity easily falls into being seen simply as a graphical property, losing any sense of what else it means. Observing that “f(around x) is sort of y-ish” blends the two while calling upon the student’s common sense to both understand the concept and effectively apply it in mathematical models.
1980’s Australian New Wave Band INXS and Survey Research Analysis – Of Course They Are Related … Learn How …
Presenter: Joel Lalone, Jefferson CC
Presider: Heather O’Brien, Jefferson CC
With 20 years’ experience presenting results of Community based studies to widely varying audiences, Joel has developed interesting and effective ways to explain study findings. Come see a guided tour of the methodology and results of many recent studies.
Executive Board Meeting
Saturday 5:10-5:40, Gazebo Room
Cocktail Half-Hour
Saturday 5:30-6:00, ?
Banquet
Saturday 6:00-8:00, Plaza Ballroom
Keynote Speaker Larry Josbeno
Mathematics Through the Ages
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH
At Play with the Triangular Numbers
Presenter:Bill Rosenthal, Hunter College
Presider: Satyanand Singh, CITY Tech
The triangular numbers are a portal through which we can provide students access to a trove of mathematics topics, both conventional and delightfully off beat. In this highly interactive session, I’ll engage you in some possibilities of mine, ask for your feedback, and invite you to come up with more.
The Advantages of Quantway Often Overlooked in Our Academic Debate.
Presenter: Maria Alzugaray, Suffolk CC
Presider: Chris Yuen, University at Buffalo
The objective of this talk is to make a thorough presentation of the curriculum covered by the course Mathematical Literacy (Quantway) taught at Suffolk CCC. This course is not devoid of algebra and helps students develop indispensable mathematical skills not covered by our current developmental math sequence.
Teacher prep courses – a discussion of best practices and the use of writing as a way of making connections
Presenters: Carla DelTreste, Dutchess CC and Rachel VanDerStuyf, Dutchess CC
Presider: Bill Rosenthal
Hear how instructors at Dutchess Community College run their teacher prep courses and join in a discussion to share your best practices with others. Some topics that will be emphasized are the importance of writing and reflection, work expectation levels and preparation to teach Common Core.
Finding Cosine of Some Non-Special Angles
Presenter: Yusuf Gurtas, Queensborough CC
Presider: Brian Milleville, Erie CC
If we think of the equation cos 60 = ½ as the polynomial equation 2x-1=0 having solution cos 60 then we can apply this idea to many non-special angles. For example cos 72 is the solution of 4x^2+2x-1=0. We will talk about how to construct such equations for certain angles.
The Twisted Behavior of Certain Curves
Presenter: Satyanand Singh, City Tech
Presider: Russ Penner, Mohawk Valley CC
In this presentation we will explore certain cubic curves in two variables and their unexpected plots. In particular we will examine problem B1 in the 2006 William Lowell Competition and generalize this notion to various families of curves. This presentation illustrates a nice interaction between calculus, conic sections and linear algebra.
Formative Assessment in Math and Statistics
Presenter: Matthew Rogala, Westchester CC
Presider: Joe Bernat, Nassau CC
We will discuss the use of formative assessment techniques in math and statistics classrooms and the wealth of information they can provide both to instructors and students. Examples of formal and informal assessments used by the presenter will be shown and discussed.
Adapting Integral Theory into Observing Mathematical Learning
Presenter: Chris L. Yuen, University at Buffalo
Presider: Josh Hammond, Jefferson CC
Mathematical learning usually is documented through performance of homework and tests; the reflection of conceptual development is often overlooked. This presentation explores how Wilber’s Integral Theory examines mathematical learning. An example will be drawn from an undergraduate research project where the student has engaged in mathematics in an integral manner.