Outline

?

S ?

http://www.educ.sfgradprogs/course_listings/Educ41

1 campbell...

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY ?

SUMMER SEMESTER 2008

EDUC 411-4

?

INVESTIGATIONS IN MATHEMATICS FOR SECONDARY

Stephen Campbell

email: sencael@sfu.ca

Tuesday 1:00-4:50 pm

WMC 2200

COREQUISITE:

Educ

415

or appropriate math background and permission of instructor

COURSE SCHEDULE:

This is normally a 3-credit course. To fulfill the requirement of 39 instructional hours (3x13) we will

meet in a scheduled 4-hour slot for 10 weeks spread through the semester.

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION:

Students examine secondary mathematics from an advanced standpoint, focusing on problem solving,

investigating connections among various topics and representations, and situating secondary

mathematics in a broader context, both mathematically and historically.

COURSE OUTLINE:

This course is designed for prospective and practicing secondary school teachers who wish to

systematically explore and reflect upon problem solving in secondary mathematics from an advanced

point of view. This will include determining what constitutes a mathematical problem, the processes of

defining and mathematizing a problem; cyclical processes of specializing and generalizing various

aspects of a problem in relation to moving from the concrete to the abstract; conjecturing and justifying,

and other basic tactics and strategies as to how to go about setting up, attacking, reflecting upon, and

extending mathematical problems. That is to say, the main focus of this course will be placed more on

experiencing and understanding the doing of mathematics than on mathematics itself. Through

participating in this course, students will expand upon and gain more confidence in their mathematical

abilities.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students will be expected to attend all classes, and to participate fully in class work and discussions.

Assignments include: Weekly homework, problem solving portfolio, project and presentation. Further

details will be presented and discussed during the first class session.

GRADING:

The course will be graded pass/fail. Students, however, must get a passing grade on each assignment in

order to pass the course.

COURSE TEXTBOOK:

Mason, J., with Burton, L. & Stacey, K. (1985). Thinking Mathematically (Revised Edition). Harlow,

England: Addison-Wesley. [ISBN 0-201-10238-2]

1 of 2

?

3/5/08 9:48 AM

---

Outline ?

S ?

http://www.educ.sftigradprogs/course_Iistings/Educ4l

1 campbell...

Students in all Faculty of Education courses are encouraged to review policies pertaining to academic

integrity available on the Undergraduate Programs website:

http://www.educ.sfu.ca/uradprogs/student

resources/index. html

2 of 2

?

3/5/08 9:48 AM