-
The opinions expressed on this blog are the views of the writer(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the American Mathematical Society.
Subscribe to Blog via Email
-
Recent Posts
Category Archives: Student Experiences
The things in proofs are weird: a thought on student difficulties
By Ben Blum-Smith, Contributing Editor “The difficulty… is to manage to think in a completely astonished and disconcerted way about things you thought you had always understood.” ― Pierre Bourdieu, Language and Symbolic Power, p. 207 Proof is the central … Continue reading
Online learning in the time of Coronavirus: Tips for students and the instructors who support them
Abbe Herzig, AMS Director of Education In the midst of the upheaval due to the Coronavirus, students and faculty are transitioning to new virtual classrooms. Many of us haven’t chosen to learn or teach, but here we are, making the … Continue reading
Who are our students?
By: Edwin O’Shea, James Madison University In Marilynne Robinson’s Gilead, Reverend Ames testifies that each person in his flock has “a kind of incandescence in them… quick, and avid, and resourceful. To see this aspect of life is a privilege … Continue reading
The Future of Enrichment: Math Contests or Math Circles?
by Doug O’Roark Executive Director, Math Circles of Chicago The New York Times recently published an article entitled “The Right Answer? 8,186,699,633,530,061 (An Abacus Makes It Look Almost Easy)”. Its lead photograph features over 100 children seated at desks, facing … Continue reading
Some thoughts about epsilon and delta
By Ben Blum-Smith, Contributing Editor The calculus has a very special place in the 20th century’s traditional course of mathematical study. It is a sort of fulcrum: both the summit toward which the whole secondary curriculum strives, and the fundamental … Continue reading
Posted in Faculty Experiences, Mathematics Education Research, Student Experiences
Tagged calculus, continuity, definitions, delta, difficulty, epsilon, limit, proof, real analysis
4 Comments
My “First” Mathematical Problem and What It Means
I am inspired, by several previous blog entries, to write about my own mathematical awakening, and what I’ve learned from reflecting on it. I went to New York City Public Schools, in the Bronx. I always enjoyed arithmetic and mastered … Continue reading
Mathematical Culture Beyond the Classroom
Benjamin Braun, Editor-in-Chief, University of Kentucky Mathematics is the result of human curiosity and our desire to explain, predict, and explore observed and imagined phenomena. Our shared curiosity and sense of wonder is the wellspring of our mathematical culture. Yet … Continue reading
Posted in Advising, Faculty Experiences, Student Experiences
Tagged classroom culture, culture
1 Comment
What Do Hobbits Know About Mathematics?
Sam: If I take one more step, I’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been. Frodo: Come on, Sam. Remember what Bilbo used to say: ‘It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the … Continue reading
Posted in Classroom Practices, Student Experiences
Tagged adventure, exploration, student experience
Leave a comment
The Joy of Mathematical Discovery
By Steven Klee, Seattle University It persistently rises to the surface of your memory – that afternoon when you fell in love with a person or a place or a mood … when you discovered some great truth about the … Continue reading
Students Find Their Fit in the Mathematical Community at the Marshall University REU
By Stacie Baumann, 2017 graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College, currently a doctoral student at Auburn University, and Matthew Jones, Virginia Tech, class of 2018 Editor’s note: The editors thank Stacie and Matthew for taking the time to share their … Continue reading
Posted in Student Experiences, Summer Programs
Tagged Marshall University, research, REU, summer
Leave a comment
