EDUC Outline ?

1 liljedahl...

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY?

EDUC 411-3

INVESTIGATIONS IN SECONDARY MATHEMATICS

(D100)

Dr. Peter Liljedahl

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Office: EDB 8662?

Phone: 778-782-5643?

email: ffljedahl@sfu.ca

TUESDAY 1:30-5:20 EDB 8620F

PREREQUISITE:

It is recommended that this course is taken concurrently with

EDUC 415 Designs

for Learning Mathematics: Secondary.

SCHEDULE:

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

will meet in a scheduled 4-hour slot for 10 weeks during the semester.

DESCRIPTION

The goal of the course is to examine secondary mathematics from an advanced standpoint. More

specifically, the goal is to extend the understanding of key topics from high school mathematics by

situating them in the broader mathematical and historical contexts, and by drawing connections between

key topics. Though the course content comes from mathematics, the approach is a pedagogical one,

which draws on the knowledge and practices from education rather than applying the lecture/tutorial

format most commonly seen in undergraduate mathematics courses. Students will engage in problem

solving, investigate conjectures, and reflection on both the content and the process. The following is a

possible list of topics to be addressed. The list is not exhaustive, nor is it sequential:

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Numbers and Number systems

Number systems from different civilization, number representations in different bases, computation in

different bases, fractions in different bases, divisibility rules in different bases -- implications for

base-ten, critical number sets (natural, whole, integer, rational, irrational, real), and relevance of their

historical development to the curriculum.

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Functions

Examination of various definitions for a function, representation of functions in different coordinate

systems (auine, focus-directrix), and transformation of functions.

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Geometry

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Axiomatic systems (Euclidean, finite), geometry on a sphere and implications for the plane, taxicab

geometry, and investigations in Euclidean Geometry with Geometer's Sketchpad

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Conic Sections

Examination of various definitions and proving their equivalence.

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Probability and Statistics

Examination of popular games and winning chances, Monty's Dilemma, bingo, slot machines, and how

to lie with statistics - a critical look.

• (Some) Fascinating theorems and formulas of mathematics

Where do they come from? Why do they "work"? What is fascinating about them?

REQUIREMENTS

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EDUC Outline ?

http://www.educ.sfiigradprogs/course_Iistings/Educ4l 1 liljedahl...

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

order to pass the course. Assignments include: weekly homework, problem solving portfolio, project

and presentation.

REQUIRED TEXT

Reading materials will be provided by the instructor.

There may also be a textbook - but it will cost under $30.

Students in all Faculty

of Education courses are encouraged to review policies pertaining to

http://www.educ.sfti.ca/ugradprogs/student

resources/index.html

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