To
Derek Risse
From
Patrick Erickson
Date
July 1, 2015
Subject
Proposal for Increasing Student Interest in Learning Mathematics
Introduction
Many students, including myself, dread their mathematics classes. Some students have a hard time
conceptualizing the mathematical relationships within lines of symbols written on a chalkboard, which
can lead to frustration, boredom, and feelings of helplessness. The teaching style in Wayne State’s
mathematics department is old fashioned—professors give lectures where they write definitions and
examples, and students copy them down. Much education reform is focused on reducing lecture style
teaching and increasing application, collaboration, and practice—having students learn by doing, and
figuring things out. I, and others I know, learn mathematics best through my physics classes, where
math is used to describe tangible phenomenon, and each piece of an equation has a recognizable
purpose. The biology department at Wayne recently replaced their quiz classes with discussion classes
where, instead of working alone, students work together in groups and apply what they learned in class
to real problems. The physics department began using this system in fall of 2014. One section of the
mathematics department called the Emerging Scholars Program has workshop classes added to the
lectures, where students work together in groups to apply what they learned in lecture to solve
problems.
Audiences
You, as my class instructor, will be one audience of the report. The primary audience will be the dean
and the board of the mathematics department at Wayne State University, because they are the ones
who have the power to change how classes are structured. For them, I will have to explain what changes
to make and why. The secondary audience of the report will be the professors and instructors in the
mathematics department who will have to implement the changes to their classes that the dean and the
board decide on. For them, I will have to explain the reasons for changing class structures and how to do
it.
Purpose
There has been a push at all levels of education, from elementary onward, to increase students’ interest
in the STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These fields of work, study, and
research are essential to the functioning of our society, not only to support its physical infrastructure,
but also to give individuals the means to act on reason and logical thinking. Central to success in all of
these fields is a sound understanding of and proficiency in mathematical theory and techniques.
Students who learn math better through application would be interested in taking more math classes
and would gain more from them, instead of simply trying to pass so they can complete their
requirements.
Primary Research
1. Survey
I could create an online survey that assesses peoples’ opinions about their math classes, their
learning styles, and professors’ teaching styles. I will use a free survey-making website, such as
Survey Monkey. I have access to several class email lists, and social media like Facebook, and
possibly Reddit. I can email Wayne students and ask them to pass the survey along to their
friends.
2. Interview
I could interview members of the board of the department of mathematics, as well as
professors, and ask what sort of plans and strategies they have for improving teaching methods.
I can ask questions via email, or interview by phone call or in person during each faculty
members’ office hours.
Secondary Research
For secondary research, I can find peer reviewed scholarly articles that describe the effects of different
teaching styles, as well as websites and other credible sources of information. To locate articles and
resources, I can use the Wayne State library systems, especially through the library page for our ENG
3050 class. I can also use the EndNote software on my computer and computers around campus, and
search engines like Google Scholar to search the web for articles.
Timetable
Here is a rough schedule of dates by which I want to have certain steps completed.
Date
July 5
July 12
July 15
July 19
July 25
July 28
Work to have completed
Draft survey and find participants
Find at least two relevant research papers
Contact dean, board, and professors of the
mathematics department
Send out survey
Find at least two more research papers
Post first draft
Analyze survey data
Complete discussions with faculty
Conclude literature search
Submit final draft