Derek Holton
The ICMI Study was planned during 1997 and its Discussion
Document appeared that year in the December issue of this Bulletin.
In December 1998, the Study conference took place in Singapore. We
expect a special issue of the International Journal of Mathematical Education
in Science and Technology to appear early in 2000, with selected
papers from the conference. The Study Volume is planned for publication
sometime in 2001.
Study Rationale
Over the last 10 years or so, there have
been major changes in tertiary education. Many of these changes have
impacted on universities in general but they have certainly had a profound
impact on mathematics. Among the changes are
Alongside these are also the changes in pedagogy and
curriculum that have taken place at the pre-university level.
As a result of the above, ICMI felt that now was an opportune time to bring mathematicians and mathematics educators together to share experiences and ideas. By pooling resources and discussing issues it was hoped that the best of research and practice could be disseminated to a wide audience.
Study Conference
The Study Conference was hosted by the National Institute
of Education, Singapore, from December 8th to 12th, 1998. The organisers
did a tremendous job in looking after both the scientific and general needs
of the participants. As with most ICMI conferences there were plenary
sessions, panel discussions, working groups and invited papers. The
emphasis at the conference was on pooling ideas and hence the working groups
were an integral part of the meeting. To give some flavour of the
matters dealt with, we list below the plenary sessions, the panel topics
and the working group issues.
Plenary Sessions
Why must the professor be a stimulating teacher?
Towards a new paradigm of teaching mathematics at university level:
Claudi Alsina,
What can we learn from didactic research carried out
at university level?: Michèle Artigue,
Research on university-level mathematics education:
(Some of) what is needed and why: Hyman Bass
Teaching and learning mathematics at the university
level: a personal perspective: Bernard Hodgson
Redefining university mathematics: the stealth
campaign: Lynn Arthur Steen.
Panel Discussion
The Secondary/Tertiary Transition: Frank
Barrington, Myriam Dechamps, Francine Gransard,
Mass Education: Garth Gaudry, Gilah Leder,
Technology: Ed Dubinsky, Celia Hoyles, Richard
Noss.
Working Groups
Secondary/Tertiary Interface: Leigh Wood,
Mathematics and Other Subjects: Jean-Pierre
Bourguignon,
Technology: Rosalind Phong,
Preparation of University Teachers: Harvey
Keys,
Assessing Undergraduate Mathematics Students:
Ken Houston,
Trends in Curriculum: Joel Hillel,
Practice of University Teaching: John Mason,
Mass Education: Nestor Aguilera and Hans
Wallin,
Preparation of Primary and Secondary Mathematics Teachers:
Honor Williams,
Policy Issues: Hyman Bass,
The Future of Research in Tertiary Mathematics Education:
Annie Selden and John Selden.
(The names given here are the Chairs of the various working
groups.)
Study Publications
As we said earlier, two publications will result from
this Study. The study Volume is currently in progress and more will
be said about this in a later issue of the Bulletin.
The more unusual, for ICMI Studies anyway, of the two
publications is the special issue of iJMEST, the International Journal
of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology. At the conference,
participants were invited to extend the papers that they had given there
and submit them for the special issue. After the refereeing process
had been completed, fifteen papers were accepted to appear in the selected
papers edition. These papers are:
Factors influencing first-year students? success in
mathematics, Glenda Anthony,
MATLAB in first year engineering mathematics,
Len Colgan,
On a research programme concerning the teaching and
learning of linear algebra in the first year of French Science University,
Jean-Luc Dorier, Aline Robet, Jacqueline Robinet and Marc Rogalski,
Perception of the tertiary learning environment:
is mathematics worth the effort: Helen Forgasz and Gilah Leder,
The history of mathematics as a coupling link between
secondary and university teaching, Fulvia Furinghetti,
The student experience of mathematical proof at university
level, Keith Jones,
The visibility of models: using technology as
a bridge between mathematics and engineering, Philip Kent and Richard
Noss,
Redesigning the calculus sequence at a research university:
issues, implementation and objectives, Harvey B Keynes and Andrea M.
Olson,
Mathematical reasoning and familiar procedures,
Johan Lithner,
Asking mathematical questions mathematically,
John Mason,
A reform in undergraduate mathematics curriculum:
more emphasis on social and pedagogical skills, Marrti C. Personen
and Taina Malvela,
Assessment of learning in university mathematics,
Geoff Smith and Leigh Wood,
Policy issues in the teaching and learning of the
mathematical sciences at university level, Jan Thomas,
A metacognitive intervention in mathematics at university
level, Rosetta Zan,
Classroom Notes: A capstone course for pre-science
secondary mathematics teachers, Mary Margaret Shoaf.
These papers cover a wide area of topics relating to the teaching and learning of mathematics at university level. Anyone wishing to order a copy of this special issue of iJMEST may contact the editor Martin Harrison (M.C.Harrison@lboto.ac.uk).
Any other enquiries regarding this Study can be made to
the Chair of the Study at the address below.
Derek Holton, Chair
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Otago, Box 56
Dunedin, New Zealand
dholton@maths.otago.ac.nz