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MLCS: A Non-STEM Pathway to College Readiness Kathleen Almy & Heather Foes Rock Valley College
| Date post: | 20-Jun-2015 |
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MLCS: A Non-STEM Pathway to College Readiness
Kathleen Almy & Heather Foes Rock Valley College
History Content Technology Course Development
Developmental Pathways …
include Math Literacy for College Students, Quantway, Statway, and the New Mathways Project.
create alternative routes to or through college-level math courses, especially non-STEM courses.
look forward to college needs instead of backward to high school deficiencies.
emphasize critical thinking and problem solving.
use authentic problems and contextualized learning.
A New Pathways Option In one semester (3 – 6 credits), Mathematical Literacy for College Students gives a student at the beginning algebra level the mathematical maturity to be successful in statistics, liberal arts math, or intermediate algebra.
Why pathways? Large number of students in
developmental math only need statistics or liberal arts math to graduate
Students pass dev math but still not prepared for non-STEM courses
Redesign had not addressed what we were teaching, just how
Goals Update content Balance instruction Build college readiness
History
2009-10 Carnegie Foundation, UT Dana Center, & AMATYC’s New Life create pathways.
Different approaches are used regarding algebra and outcome courses.
2011-13 First pilots of pathways courses begin nationally, including RVC.
Interest in pathways grows at the national level.
2013-14 Policies change in several states regarding intermediate algebra.
Pathways begin to scale.
Built by faculty for faculty Variety of content to address a school’s needs Establishes a culture of active learning Incorporates many contexts including science
Traditional Approach: Linear N
umbe
rs
Alge
bra
Func
tions
Prop
ortio
ns
Math Lit Approach: Integrated & Layered Different topic ordering
Geometry, statistics, student success, mathematical success
Num
erac
y
Alge
brai
c Re
ason
ing
Prop
ortio
nal
Reas
onin
g
Func
tions
Traditional Algebra vs. MLCS Approach
A doctor orders 200 mg of an antibiotic for an infant who weighs 15.4 lb. It should be taken every 8 hours. The medication label shows that 75–150 mg/kg per day is the appropriate dosage range.
Determine if the dosage ordered is within the desired range.
Traditional Algebra vs. MLCS Approach
Convert 10 miles to kilometers.
It’s not just… “Can you do it?”
It’s… “Do you understand it well enough to use it?”
The power of context
Cost = 200 + 1.29n y=mx+b
Problems vs. Exercises Problems require original approaches. A method is not necessarily clear at first glance.
Exercises require choosing and applying an algorithm.
Problems involve the non-routine application and connection of skills.
Exercises develop students’ ability to perform skills.
Exercise Problem Solve: 2x + 7 = 10 Given only $20, how many
buffalo wings can you buy if they are 25 cents each? Assume you will buy a pitcher of soda for $4 and veggies and dips for $2.50. 7.25% tax should be included along with a 20% tip.
For which salaries is option A better than option B?
A: 5% raise
B: 3% raise plus $1000
Solve the system:
3x – 2y = -6
x = -4y + 8
Exercise Problem
Simplify: You are making brownies and debating between an 8” round pan and an 8” square pan. If you want thick brownies, which should you use and why?
Show all calculations with units included.
2 3 5( 3 )x y−
2 3 5( 3 )x y−
Exercise Problem
Calculate…
…then determine units
Units seem arbitrary and are easily left off.
Calculate with units
More difficult calculations but units are included and have meaning.
24 16 50.3A π π= ⋅ = ≈2 2 2(4 ) 16 50.3 A in in inπ π= ⋅ = ≈
Content Effects New topics and approaches require the removal of some familiar topics.
Difficulty level and expectations increase.
Focus shifts from “what has to be covered?” to “what has been learned?”
How students learn is as important as what they learn.
New student experience
• Engagement
• Connections
• Different objectives
• Deliberate practice
MyMathLab
Skill homework only on MML ebook Videos Instructor support
When is it worth it to buy an e-reader?
Linear equations Functions Slope Algebraic vs.
numeric methods
# of Books Sony Nook Hardcover (no device)
1 $241.95 $109.00 $24.50
2 $254.90 $119.00 $49.00
3 $267.85 $129.00 $73.50
4 $280.80 $139.00 $98.00
5 $293.75 $149.00 $122.50
6 $306.70 $159.00 $147.00
7 $319.65 $169.00 $171.50
8 $332.60 $179.00 $196.00
9 $345.55 $189.00 $220.50
10 $358.50 $199.00 $245.00
11 $371.45 $209.00 $269.50
12 $384.40 $219.00 $294.00
13 $397.35 $229.00 $318.50
14 $410.30 $239.00 $343.00
15 $423.25 $249.00 $367.50
16 $436.20 $259.00 $392.00
17 $449.15 $269.00 $416.50
18 $462.10 $279.00 $441.00
19 $475.05 $289.00 $465.50
20 $488.00 $299.00 $490.00
21 $500.95 $309.00 $514.50
22 $513.90 $319.00 $539.00
23 $526.85 $329.00 $563.50
24 $539.80 $339.00 $588.00
25 $552.75 $349.00 $612.50
Linear equations Functions Slope Algebraic vs.
numeric methods Excel
When is it worth it to buy an e-reader?
Linear equations Functions Slope Algebraic vs.
numeric methods
Combining these perspectives gives more information than one method alone.
When is it worth it to buy an e-reader?
Challenges to implementation
State policies
Campus effects
Adjuncts/training
Challenges to the classroom
Different expectations
Problems vs. exercises
Strong knowledge of content
Prealgebra MLCS
Intermediate Algebra
STEM & non-STEM
College Level Math
Non-STEM College
Level Math (Statistics, Liberal
Arts Math)
Implementation options: replace beginning algebra
Implementation options: support an emporium
Prealgebra Beginning Algebra
Intermediate Algebra
College Level Math
Prealgebra
MLCS
Intermediate Algebra
STEM & non-STEM
College Level Math
Non-STEM College
Level Math (Statistics, Liberal
Arts Math)
Beginning Algebra
Implementation options: augment traditional sequence
Implementation Ideas: 4th year high school course
Non-STEM College
Level Math
Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 MLCS
Prealgebra Algebra 1 Basic Math
Prealgebra Algebra 1 Geometry MLCS
MLCS
Outcomes Although sample sizes are small…
• 60 - 70% pass MLCS
• No statistically significant difference in Gen Ed math or Stats based on prerequisite (algebra or MLCS)
• MLCS students pass traditional intermediate algebra at a higher rate than beginning algebra students.
Longterm tracking will continue for several more years.
Questions
