ERIC Number: ED413947
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1996-Jun-1
Pages: 55
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Revision of Technical Mathematics Based on the NCTM Standards. Final Report.
Near, Barbara
Between 1993 and 1996, Henry Ford Community College (Michigan) worked with business, industry, and technical instructors to revise their Technical Mathematics program in accordance with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards. The purpose of the project was to restructure the technical math curriculum and create a context for cooperation between vocational faculty and mathematics faculty. The project team was involved in a variety of activities that included visiting job sites, developing and revising learning activities, attending curriculum revision meetings, piloting and evaluating the curriculum, and disseminating project results. An effective system of creating partnerships with business and industry was also developed. As a result, activities were created that focused on topics such as Method Summary Charting and creating a safe work environment. Industry partners and an independent reviewer positively critiqued these activities, but technical math instructors were less positive. Group projects, discussions and computer activities were a central part of course revision. Students in the revised courses demonstrated better problem solving skills than those in traditional courses, but student retention was better in the traditional program. Appendices include revised course content, a sample computer activity, and other sample activities. (YKH)
Descriptors: Academic Standards, College Faculty, Community Colleges, Computer Uses in Education, Course Evaluation, Curriculum Development, Curriculum Evaluation, Group Activities, Group Discussion, Instructional Improvement, Mathematics Education, Partnerships in Education, Program Evaluation, Program Implementation, School Business Relationship, Technical Education, Technical Mathematics, Two Year Colleges
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Henry Ford Community Coll., Dearborn, MI.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A