Math 116 & SummerMath@ Technology Center of DuPage

Spring 2001 – Summer 2003

Math 116 @ TCD

• TCD students learn college mathematics• Use technological tools to facilitate the

learning of mathematics• Employ dynamic instructors and a relaxed,

group oriented environment within which to explore mathematics

Math 116 & Summermath Instructors

• Jim Dildine – TCD on-site coordinator, instructor, and assistant (All Sessions 2001-2003)

• Sean Dannenfeldt (Spring Math 116 2002, Summer 2002, Fall 116 2002)

• Dustin Lindley (Spring Math 116 2002)• Rachel Kay (Fall Math 116 2002, Spring 2003)• David Frank (Assistant to Math 116 Fall 02)• April Bucher (Summermath 2001)• Mikkel Storrasli (Summermath 2001, 2002)

Math 116 & Summermath Population Data

• Summer ‘01 – 12 Students• Spring 2002 – Start 15 – Finish 12• Summer ‘02 – 10 Students • Fall 2002 – Start 10 – Finish 6• Spring 2003 – Start 13 – Finish 12• Summer ‘03 – 9 studentsOn-site instructor helps retention?

Math 116 Students

• Diverse backgrounds and schools• Students Wearing the “BADGE” – “I can’t

do math”• Diverse TCD program areas (Mostly the

medical programs, Early Childhood Education and Care, Automotive Technology)

• Group Dynamics – “Sound of learning”

The “Poster-girl” for Math 116Rachel Kay (Spring ’02)

• In CNA program at TCD• Came crying (in tears, really) day after the

first day of class• Finished Top in Class in Math 116• Lake Park Student• Now at NIU in Special Ed. Program• Became a Math 116 “instructor”

Medical Students (Spring ’02)

• Hispanic female students• Both in Medical Health Care and Careers• Now at COD studying to be nurses• Math 116 gave them 2 class credits at COD

They passed with a B & C• Improved their self-esteem

Cosmo Female (Fall ’02)

• Cosmetology student taking tons of cosmo hours, a business class, and Math 116

• Perfect attendance in 116 granted her 80 bonus hours for Cosmo (they need 1500)

• Worked very much alone but she helped EVERYONE she could

• Currently at COD

Auto Tech Male & Early Childhood Education Female (Fall 2002)

• Male (Auto Tech) from Downers South• Female (ECEC) from Westmont

– Passed with my help and the male• Interesting Sidenote…• This class is all about relationships, not just

mathematical

Medical Student and Friend (Spring ’03)

• Student at TCD in MHCC from Lake Park• “Dragged” her friend from Rolling Meadows (Non TCD

School) into course

Other Non-TCD students served• Westmont student (really unconfident)– Now at NIU

– Sent me emails about current status and how Math 116 helped her• Wheaton North student – Now at Purdue

– Called me (annoyingly often) about getting transcripts

Technology used to support Math 116 and Summermath at TCD

• Website with videos– Interviews with students– Students and Instructor Bios– Data

• Polycom Teleconferencing• Mimio & Whiteboard

• Calculators (and Robots)• CBR Distance Sensors• Spreadsheets, Web Design,

Digital Cameras• Geometry Software• Mathematica-based

problem sets

• Goal: To provide a relaxed atmosphere and help students gain confidence in mathematics and “play” with technology and mathematics

• 4 weeks 8-11am• Instructors: Sean Dannenfeldt, Mikkel Stoorasli, Jim

Dildine, April Bucher• TCD instructors: Pat Hannigan (CNA), Gayle Witzke

(Culinary), Judy Johnson (Construction and CAD)

Participants

• 2001: Soon to be High Schoolers (8th gr), Soon to be TCDers (10th gr), Post-TCDers (pre college)

• 2002: Soon to be TCDers (10th gr), ESL-P ers (drop outs)

• 2003: ESL-P ers• 2001 & 2002 included a course for teachers

at same time

What We Did!

• Field Trips to Museum of Science and Industry, Frank Lloyd Wright House, TREC Center

• Hands-on Activities (Frisbees, Beach Balls, Tennis Balls, Traffic Jam)

• Technology-intensive activities• Web Design, Digital Photos, Spreadsheets,

Calculators and Robots, GPS units, CAD, GSP• Final Projects - Bridge (2001), Water Tower (2002),

GeoCache (2003)

Dildine Thinks These Programs ROCK

SummerMath• Intro to TCD• Make some new friends• Meet Dildine (Jim)• Meet other TCD instructors• Interesting story about a young

woman…• ESL-P students FINALLY

have a good experience in school

• Work on cool technology that is not at your typical school

Math 116• Female participation is awesome• College Credit• Learn you CAN do the Math• Group oriented (social)• Different way of learning• Technology Intensive

Limitations• Instructors are hard to come by. Very few people can teach this

way (Sean, Mikkel, April, and Jim are atypical)• Transportation (DuPage county is HUGE)• Enrollment and Retention in Math 116 @ TCD (I believe) are

due to the fact that Jim was on the students’ cases – He no longer works there so students are reluctant to enroll

• Recruitment is rough due to the number of schools• Reality. Who really want to do math in the summer? OR after

School?