Method of Linear Programming as an Idea for High School Curriculum

2010 Mathematics Subject Classification: 97D40, 97M10, 97M40, 97N60, 97N80, 97R80Since the middle of the 20th century, mathematical modeling by means of optimization problems has been widespread in scientific applications. Together with the software developed, it has a real impact on practice, thus changing the ideas of society about the role of mathematics, computer science, and information technologies. The present paper is aimed to show the accessibility of some basic notions and methods of linear programming and integer linear programming to the high school students. It also gives credit to R. Kaltinska and G. Hristov [1] who around three decades ago included for a short period of time these methods into the high school mathematics curriculum in Bulgaria. Besides classical applications, here we show almost unknown in educational practices methods for solving some mathematical problems. Among the examples are recreational problems helpful for building connections between mathematics and the humanities. Free software, appropriate for the considered problems is also introduced: it can be used separately or in combination with elementary program codes

Personalised Learning Framework for Enhancing Mathematics Ability

Mathematics is the cornerstone of many disciplines, including computer science, accounting and the sciences. However, over the past two decades in higher education institutes, it has become increasingly apparent that there is a decline in the basic numeracy skills of first year students entering third level programs (Tariq, 2002). This has been observed in numerous Irish institutes whereby unfortunately it can also be a huge impediment in student progression into second year. Research has shown that students are under-prepared for the challenges posed by third level mathematics (Hourigan & O’Donoghue, 2007). In addition, as lecturers we are not as informed as we should be about the changes in the Leaving Certificate curriculum which further exacerbates the problem. As lecturers, collectively in our disciplines, we have observed a systematic decline in first year students understanding of basic mathematics and their willingness to engage. To support lecturers and students in DIT the Maths Learning Support Centre (MLSC) was established in 2005 with designated full-time Maths tutors to assist students in their cognitive ability of mathematics. However, not all students who need such support engage with the MLSC for numerous reasons. In addition, there is minimal support for part-time students who attend lectures in the evening when the MLSC is closed. Here, we present data addressing the role of mathematics for first year students in DIT. We argue for the development of the MMEL-Machine E-Learning for Maths, a personalised online platform to support and supplement students’ maths learning in first year

Physics and Playstation too: Learning physics with computer games

Computer games seem to captivate the imagination and attention of contemporary teenagers. If only the energy, motivation, fun and exhilaration they enjoy from playing games on their PC, or on consoles such as PlayStation 2, GameCube, XBOX, and Dreamcast, could be captured in learning physics! Andrew Stapleton, a doctoral student under Dr. Peter Taylor's supervision at Curtin University's Science and Mathematics Education Centre, believes it can and explores how in this paper. The paper discusses both the use of games and simulations in physics classrooms and their design as legitimate means for learning physics. Based on theoretical and methodological insights Andrew gained from his doctoral research into the design of multimedia for conceptual learning of physics, the paper considers the role of design in the physics curriculum. Physics, education and design are brought together in dialogue in an endeavour to provide physics educators with new perspective and opportunities for their students to learn physics. To illustrate the possibility of learning physics with computer games, the presentation will include examples from SR Voyager, a multimedia prototype Andrew developed for his research, which aims to promote conceptual learning of the physics of special relativity

Computer-enhanced learning in tertiary education

It is widely accepted that mathematics courses for science and engineering undergraduates should aim to develop an enquiring and creative approach to mathematics together with good communication skills. Due to their versatility, computational power and graphical capabilities, computers can play a significant role in developing these skills. A review of the development of computer-assisted learning of mathematics established that a new investigative approach could exploit the potential of the computer.For this project, two comprehensive computer-based learning packages were developed. The content and educational objectives of the packages were determined by consultation with mathematics lecturers. These objectives were to encourage investigative work, to facilitate problem solving and to enhance student understanding of certain algorithms and topics. The packages were evaluated over a four-year period, whilst in regular use in the mathematical sciences laboratories at Napier Polytechnic as part of the curriculum of several degree courses. During the formative evaluation, modifications and improvements were incorporated. The second stage of the evaluation comprised an investigation of the impact of the packages on the mathematics curriculum. In particular, changes in teaching approaches, learning outcomes and student attitudes towards mathematics were studied through observation, questionnaires and interviews. The feasibility of transfer of the materials developed to other higher educational establishments was also examined.The study identified an increase in the use of graphical methods to explore the behaviour of functions, numerical methods and models, more emphasis on investigative work, and more analysis and interpretation of results. Improved communication skills were also noted. It was deduced that the computer-based approaches adopted had fostered the development of higher cognitive skills, thus leading to an enhanced quality of learning

A review of the research literature relating to ICT and attainment

Summary of the main report, which examined current research and evidence for the impact of ICT on pupil attainment and learning in school settings and the strengths and limitations of the methodologies used in the research literature

Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Programs in Data Science

The Park City Math Institute (PCMI) 2016 Summer Undergraduate Faculty Program met for the purpose of composing guidelines for undergraduate programs in Data Science. The group consisted of 25 undergraduate faculty from a variety of institutions in the U.S., primarily from the disciplines of mathematics, statistics and computer science. These guidelines are meant to provide some structure for institutions planning for or revising a major in Data Science

A noninvasive molecular approach: exploiting species-locus-specific PCR primers in defeating numts and DNA cross-contamination of cercopithecidae

The lack of a standardized, noninvasive molecular approach to studying genetic aspects of primates has made it hard for primatologists to decode the evolutionary history of these species. Researchers must optimize their own techniques to fully exploit the available samples. Lack of species-locus-specific primers also contributes to difficulties in using noninvasive genetic samples. Thus, the objectives of this study were to develop a standardized technique to collecting samples noninvasively, propose newly designed species-locus-specific primers, and optimize conditions for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Macaca fascicularis, M. nemestrina, Trachypithecus cristatus, and T. obscurus. Nine new species-locus-specific primers for three different loci of mitochondrial DNA, namely D-loop, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI), and cytochrome b, were successfully designed. These primers proved to be efficient in amplifying larger datasets (up to ~1,000 bp) of the targeted species in the optimized PCR conditions. The species-locus-specific primers are able to anneal to host DNA alone in highly contaminated feces of highlighted species. They can also offer alternatives measures in avoiding contamination related to nuclear insertion of mitochondrial pseudogenes (numts)