Annual Conference 2018

Session Details

Friday, April 13th

Go for Reading: Integrating Literacy into Mathematics

Presenters: Mary Crawford-Mohat, Sophia Marku, Stephanie Putman,Pamela Mullan
Presider: Russ Penner

In this session, Reading faculty will present strategies to improve understanding of text in word problems. Participants will learn how to develop critical reading techniques and incorporate the techniques into their classes. Bring a word problem or two to work with.

How To Teach Algebra

Presenter: Steven GottliebMullan
Presider: Reem Jaafar

How to teach Algebra in a way that motivates thinking and a true understanding of the material. Will go over basic mistakes that most Algebra teaches make which in the end does not motivate thinking and understanding.

Flipping an introductory math course: the joy and the pain

Presenter: Fei
Presider: Joseph Bernat

In this session, we will introduce our project involving flipping a popular introductory mathematics course M110 Modeling with Elementary Functions at the University of Hartford in Fall 2017. In particular, we will provide an overview of our project along with details about classroom setup, a typical class meeting, pedagogical strategies employed, and research results from a study comparing two flipped classes to two non-flipped classes taught by same professors. Further, we will discuss the technologies we used including video-making software, wireless document cameras, and Plickers. Finally, we will compare the differences we noticed in flipping a general education math course versus flipping Calculus I, which we did in an earlier departmental project.

What Should We Teach in Mathematics as Artificial Intelligence Becomes Increasingly Powerful?

Presenter: Alexander Atwood
Presider: Trevor Bradish

Artificial Intelligence has become increasingly powerful in the past five years. Meaningful progress has occurred in tackling very difficult problems in medical diagnoses, in complex game playing (such as Go) and in autonomous automobiles. Because of this, the nature of what we teach in our mathematics classroom must change significantly.

Real World Math – it’s not algebra!

Presenter: Sue Kutryb
Presider: Colleen Stevens

Real World Math is a general education course that was developed for students in curricula such as Physical Education, Human Services and Criminal Justice who did not need (or want!) a traditional algebra course. Come hear how we assess this very successful course using a portfolio

Smartphones in the Classroom: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Presenter: Dona Boccio
Presider: Mary Crawford-Mohat

Smartphones are a source of frustration for some faculty, who believe that the devices lead to distraction and academic dishonesty. Other faculty have devised creative ways to incorporate smartphone use in their classrooms to increase engagement and enhance learning. Beneficial and detrimental uses of mobile technology will be discussed.

SUNY OER Services: Leading the OER Movement in New York State

Presenter: Michael Daly
Presider: Julie Croteau

The use of Open Educational Resources (OER), is seeing dramatic growth and impact currently across SUNY. SUNY OER Services is dedicated to supporting individual campus OER program growth. The State Budget Office has also actively invested funds to advance adoption and adaption of OER in high-enrollment, general education courses.

Chat & Chew

Like speed dating, only “mathy-er”. Join your NYSMATYC Board Members in rapid-fire round table discussions of some of the current hot topics in the math-education world. Enjoy some light snacks and great conversations!

Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles

Presenters: Patty Owens, Larry Danforth

Puzzles, Puzzles, Puzzles is back and at a new exciting time slot. Join Patty and Larry in Adirondack East for a great end to the evening! Do you have what it takes to return from the conference a Champion? Create teams of 4 (can be done before hand or at the session) to compete against the clock and other teams to win the ultimate prize

Facilitating Class Discussion Without Causing Contention

Presenters: Crystal Heshmat, Dianne Zielinski
Presider: Steven Gottlieb

Discussion of controversial topics in the classroom can sometimes lead to conflict and contention, yet they create invaluable opportunities for students to learn critical thinking and become a cohesive group. This workshop will feature examples of techniques to foster positive student interactions and manage student discussions.

Open Educational Resources (OERs) + Technology = Improved Student Learning

Presenters: Josh Baron, Brian Milleville, David Usinski
Presider: Patty Zabel

Learn how two mathematics faculty members from Erie Community College are leveraging Open Educational Resources (OERs) and powerful technology platforms to both reduce textbook costs and improve student learning. The platforms, which CUNY and SUNY faculty have free access to, will be demonstrated with plenty of time for Q&A.

Chairs Colloquium

Presenter: Ray LaBounty
Presider: Mary Crawford-Mohat

This session is designed for anyone interested in discussing issues such as placement, hiring, adjuncts, retention, and more. Department and Division Chairs to are highly encourage to attend. Come prepared to share in this round table format.

Exploring Open Educational Resources (OERs) and Technology Platforms for Mathematics (part 1)

Presenters: Josh Baron, Brian Milleville, David Usinski
Presider: Erin Newton

This hands-on workshop (bring a laptop) will allow participants to explore Open Educational Resources (OERs) and related technology platforms, one of which is based on MyOpenMath, for mathematics. The platforms, to which SUNY/CUNY faculty have free access, support a range of uses from auto-grading of homework to personalized learning.This will be a hands-on workshop, participants should bring a laptop if at all possible. This session resumes after the break. Attend one or both hours of this workshop presentation.

Affordable and Accessible Developmental Math

Presenter: Helen Nunez – Cengage
Presider: Tim Biehler

Our Faculty Partner will discuss how they use MindTap Math Foundations to move developmental math students into college level math. Our platform, coupled with Cengage Unlimited is an affordable and accessible way for Developmental Math students to learn and succeed.

Access, Affordability, Achievement – Premium Content & Technology for Every Learner

Presenters: Tom Kennally, Allison Tierney
Presider: Vera Hu-Hyneman

Pearson’s mission of improving students’ lives through learning has focused heavily the past year on access and affordability. Our executive director of strategic partnerships and state district manager will be presenting our Inclusive Access model. The model provides the lowest cost available for our course materials directly into your campus LMS to ensure day one access for all students. By leveling the playing field for all students, this lower cost and instant access to these course materials, in partnership with your campus store, has demonstrated increased student outcomes and improved retention rates for schools and courses participating in the model.

Exploring Open Educational Resources (OERs) and Technology Platforms for Mathematics (part 2)

Presenters: Josh Baron, Brian Milleville, David Usinski
Presider: Erin Newton

This hands-on workshop (bring a laptop) will allow participants to explore Open Educational Resources (OERs) and related technology platforms, one of which is based on MyOpenMath, for mathematics. The platforms, to which SUNY/CUNY faculty have free access, support a range of uses from auto-grading of homework to personalized learning.This will be a hands-on workshop, participants should bring a laptop if at all possible. This session resumes after the break. Attend one or both hours of this workshop presentation.

Getting More from the Empirical / 68-95-99.7 Rule in an Introductory Statistics Class

Presenter: Patrick Burdick
Presider: Andy Draper

The presentation will address the use of the Empirical/68-95-99.7 Rule for: (i) introducing and reinforcing the idea of percentiles for a Normal probability density function (pdf), (ii) developing the graph of the Normal cumulative distribution function (cdf) and (iii) helping to formulate sound estimates when performing “forward” and “backward” Normal calculations. This will be both an informational and a practice session, solving typical Normal calculation problems while implementing the Empirical Rule methodology.

AMATYC IMPACT: Improving Mathematical Prowess And College Teaching

Presenter: Mary Beth Orrange
Presider: George Hurlburt

The goal of AMATYC IMPACT is to improve mathematics education in the first two years of college by presenting guidance of how to IMPACT student’s mathematical prowess. This guidance will inspire faculty, departments, institutions, and policymakers to examine, assess, and take action to improve every component of mathematics education.

Technology in and out of the Classroom: Utilizing the Microsoft Surface to it’s Fullest Potential

Presenter: Joseph Bernat
Presider: Erin Newton

The Microsoft Surface line of products have a variety of uses to assist the Mathematics Educator both in the classroom and outside the classroom. I will show some of the many uses of this technology and provide examples of lessons and other content created with the Surface. Uses include: wireless projection to promote student engagement, assistance for students’ homework solutions, creation of supplemental videos for viewing on YouTube, creation of lessons and tests, and software available to assist student understanding of content. I will demonstrate uses relating to both educational topics and non-educational topics.

Using Supplemental Instruction to Improve Student Success in Math Courses

Presenter: Reem Jaafar
Presider: Janis Mazza

Academic Peer Instruction is a peer tutoring program at LaGuardia Community College, modeled after the nationwide Supplemental Instruction. Since 1993, it has supported over 13,000 students in “high risk” courses. This presentation provides an overview of the program, its results, and how it has been adapted to targeted co-requisite math courses.

SUNY OER – My Experience

Presenter: Vera Hu-Hyneman
Presider: Brian Milleville

Presenter will share with you on her experience on how she uses the Open Education Resources (OER). This include the software, open textbook, and open online course management system.

Redesigning Developmental Mathematics at DCC

Presenters: Carla Del Treste, Rachel VanDerStuyf
Presider: Chris Kemp

Through an initiative called the Innovative Educators, math faculty at Dutchess Community College received reassigned time to research and develop initiatives to improve developmental mathematics at DCC. The goals of the redesign projects are to reduce time to completion, decrease the number of exit points for students, and improve student success in completion of the math course work. The focus of this presentation is the work we have done in the STEM track creating linked compressed co-requisite courses by blending the material in Beginning and Intermediate Algebra and using Open Educational Resources for both the text and the online homework system.

Zoom: More than a Meeting tool

Presenter: Mary Crawford-Mohat
Presider: Dave Usinski

Use Zoom, an on-line video conferencing website, to communicate with students, create videos, provide feedback to on-line students and more. In this session we will explore the recording features of Zoom and how to bring your on-line feedback to the next level.

Transform your Teaching with Technology

Presenters: Erin Newton, Patty Zabel
Presider: Joe Bernat

How can technology be used to enhance your course(s)? Come review some tools you may already use and learn about new resources you can use. Share resources you have used and have found successful. Bring your tablet or laptop to explore along with the presenters!

Problems Galore

Presenter: Dr. Ralph Selig
Presider: Josh Hammond

The Wonder Years in this case does not refer to the early years of NYSMATYC. It refers to the TV series of the same name that ran from 1988 to 1993 on ABC. It was the story of growing up in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s as seen through the eyes of the young man, Kevin Arnold. One of the young stars actually grew up to become a mathematician and publish books that help middle school students succeed in math. The presentation will share clips from the show and share some of what the child star/mathematician/author has to say to young people.

The Math of Money

Presenter: Tim Biehler
Presider: Trevor Bradish

“The Mathematics of Money” offers an alternative for students who don’t require more advanced math courses. The course develops mathematical and analytical skills in a financial context, and has served as the basis for courses at Penn State, Rutgers, Virginia and elsewhere. I will provide an overview of the course philosophy, objectives and content.

How Can the Success Rate in Basic Arithmetic Be Improved?

Presenter: Lisa Topolovec
Presider: Howard Sporn

I will talk about the changes that we at Sullivan CCC have made to our Basic Arithmetic course in the past few years. I have statistics showing which changes were successful and which were not. I am hoping that others will share what has been successful in their Basic Arithmetic classes.

Presenter: Steven Gottlieb
Presider: Kevin Maritato

A complete breakdown of what types of roots you will get for the set of equations of the form sqrt(x) = bx+c.

A Project-Based Approach to Calculus II

Presenter: Kevin Maritato
Presider: Elizabeth McGrath

A brief overview of several unit projects I used last semester with the goal of enhancing student learning in more difficult topics, or covering additional topics that class time did not allow for, followed by a discussion of results, ideas for improvement, and potential new projects to try in future.

The Tree of Pythagorean Triples

Presenter: Howard Sporn
Presider: Steven Gottlieb