2 2 d-agostino-biddy16
TRANSCRIPT
EXPLORING THE MYTHICAL
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A
LIBRARIAN AND A MATHEMATICIAN
How to incorporate research and a librarian
into a mathematics class
Melissa D’Agostino, [email protected]
Brandie Biddy, [email protected]
Cecil College
AFACCT 2016 Conference, College of Southern Maryland
Session #2.2, January 7, 2016 11:40 A.M.
INTRODUCTIONS
Brandie Biddy
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
M.S. Applied & Computational Mathematics
B.S. Mathematics
Melissa D’Agostino
Instructional Librarian
Master Library & Information Science
B.A. Mathematics
MATH 246
Differential Equations
Highest level math course offered
16 students
Engineering majors
Math majors
Most students are engineering so focus is on
applications
ASSIGNMENT
Research-based projects would allow the opportunity to
Get students thinking outside the box.
Give more challenging problems to students.
Answer the questions “When am I ever going to use this?” by finding real life applications of course material.
Incorporate cross-discipline and life skills by including a written report and oral and visual presentation.
ASSIGNMENT
Project Guidelines
Study a topic relating to the application of a
differential equations to a specific physical,
chemical, biological, engineering or other setting
6 groups of 2-3
Guidelines for your paper:
APA format.
10-15 pages
Include: introduction presenting the physical problem and the model differential equation that
is relevant for it
section devoted to background information and theory behind the model/method
section explaining the specific situation you have chosen to model. Be sure to define all variables and explain all constants
methods section showing the work to solve your situation
results section that presents the analysis and mathematical and/or numerical results that you have obtained from your chosen situation
summary/discussion/conclusion, detailing the outcome and impact of your results to the physical problem of interest
figures and graphs where necessary to illustrate your model, methods, work and results
Appendix with any Maple calculations or MatLab code used
Project Timetable: Due W 9/9: Groups turn in at least three ideas for a topic (topic will be approved by
instructor)
Due W 10/14: Abstract
Due W 11/18: Rough Draft of background/research and details of chosen situation
Due W 12/9: Final paper and presentation.
ASSIGNMENT
Outside of my comfort zoneNever created a rubric
Never graded a paper
Wasn’t sure what my expectations were
Went with loose guidelinesStudents struggled a bit with such open
requirements
Worked out well in the long run
The flexibility gave room for creativity
LIBRARY PRESENTATION
Vision of library research
Prior semester had sub-par results
Concerned Librarian presentation too basic –surprised Librarian made it course specific
September 30th
Prior to abstract due date
½ hour lecture
½ hour guided research
Following slides are the presentation given to students: Note the superhero theme – easier to relate to and remember
ABOUT ME
• Melissa D’Agostino
• Instructional Librarian
• Phone 410-674-1492
via minifigures.lego.com
SEARCH CONNECTORS
• AND
• Combine different ideas
• Finds articles that mention both
via periodictable.com; marvel.com
Rocket Raccoon AND Groot
SEARCH CONNECTORS
• OR
• Combine synonyms
• Finds articles that mention either
via marvel.com
Peter Quill OR Starlord
MATH LIBGUIDE
Library webpage
Subject Guides
Mathematics
http://cecil.libguides.com/math
Four tabs:
Basic Web Resources
Finding Scholarly Articles
Finding Books
APA Citations
APA CITATIONS
via reasonistproducts.com
Handout given to students:
http://bit.ly/1Org72m
LIBRARY PRESENTATION
Hour of guided research time in computer lab
Planned ½ hour but they were doing such good
work we didn’t want to cut them off!
Alleviating panic – students typically do initial
research late in process and can’t ask questions
Narrowing down topic through researching – trial
and error
Eliminated topics that were too advanced early
IMMEDIATE POSITIVE RESULTS
Topic selection
Topics got more interesting after library session Equations of motion in relation to rockets became “A
Differential Analysis of the Standard Newtonian Equations of Force and Motion Applied to Model the Launch of a Saturn V Rocket”
Projectile motion became “Video Game Physics, Using Numerical Solutions to Mimic Reality”
Topics included: Band pass filter with RLC circuit
Epidemic SIR model (ebola)
Projectile motion in video games (Halo)
Geodesics applied to flight patterns over Earth
Launch of Saturn V Rocket
Population dynamics of dragons and unicorns
STUDENT FEEDBACK
To library presentation:
Most helpful info gleaned from presentation: math research section to the library website
how to use databases effectively
APA citation handout
Definitely not a waste of time
To assignment as a whole:
Preferable to a cumulative test
Enjoyed real-world experience
Had never done a paper/project to this caliber
RESULTS
Best grades → worst projects
Used the most basic methods
Had the most disorganized papers
Overall:
Better topics
Better resource lists
Formatting issues
RESULTS
Validity of citations
54 total citations
8 scholarly articles
10 books
2 videos
34 websites
Ran the gamut – MathWorld Wolfram, National Geo, NASA
all great but many questionable websites used
Lack of in-text citations
QUESTIONS?