Teaching Mathematics in a Teaching Mathematics in a Streaming, IPOD, RFD, VOIP, Streaming, IPOD, RFD, VOIP,

Virtual AgeVirtual Age

Jeff MorganJeff MorganChair, Department of MathematicsChair, Department of Mathematics

Director, Center for Academic Support and Director, Center for Academic Support and AssessmentAssessment

University of HoustonUniversity of Houstonhttp://www.math.uh.edu/~jmorganhttp://www.math.uh.edu/~jmorgan

A Word From My Sponsors…A Word From My Sponsors…

The Department of MathematicsThe Department of MathematicsThe College of Natural Sciences and The College of Natural Sciences and

MathematicsMathematicsThe University of HoustonThe University of Houston

The Houston Area Calculus Teachers The Houston Area Calculus Teachers AssociationAssociation

http://www.HoustonACT.orghttp://www.HoustonACT.org

Thoughts from previous Thoughts from previous talks…talks…

There are two types of students in There are two types of students in mathematics courses:mathematics courses:

““The Few” – Less than 1/10 of 1% The Few” – Less than 1/10 of 1% achieve understanding.achieve understanding.

““The Masses” – 99.9% try to achieve The Masses” – 99.9% try to achieve numerical competency.numerical competency.

DifferencesDifferences

““The Few” advance the sciences.The Few” advance the sciences.

““The Masses” run and maintain all The Masses” run and maintain all aspects of society. They are our aspects of society. They are our

laborers, our managers, our CEO’s, laborers, our managers, our CEO’s, our university chancellors, and our our university chancellors, and our

politicians.politicians.

Remark:Remark:

Mathematics does not come by Mathematics does not come by birthright. A mathematician can be birthright. A mathematician can be

born of any set of parents.born of any set of parents.

ChallengesChallenges

““The Few” are hiding among “The The Few” are hiding among “The Masses”.Masses”.

(we don’t know them ahead of time)(we don’t know them ahead of time)

““The Masses” The Masses” mustmust have a successful have a successful and pleasant final mathematical and pleasant final mathematical experience. Otherwise, they will experience. Otherwise, they will

discourage their children, and they discourage their children, and they will not support our science.will not support our science.

Our Youth Are Growing In An Our Youth Are Growing In An Online Mass Media Environment Online Mass Media Environment http, https, html, xhtml, xml, xslt, javascript, http, https, html, xhtml, xml, xslt, javascript,

jscript, j#, pearl, php, asp, mathml, java, jscript, j#, pearl, php, asp, mathml, java, flash, quicktime, mp3, mp4, pdf, jpeg mpeg, flash, quicktime, mp3, mp4, pdf, jpeg mpeg, ……

Email, chat, blogs, im, podcasts, personal Email, chat, blogs, im, podcasts, personal urls, cell phones, picture phones, vcast, urls, cell phones, picture phones, vcast, palm, blackberry, streaming audio/video, palm, blackberry, streaming audio/video, downloadable audio/video, voip, ipod, rfd, downloadable audio/video, voip, ipod, rfd, online discussion boards, …online discussion boards, …

Satellite radio, virtual gaming, pc gaming, Satellite radio, virtual gaming, pc gaming, xbox, ps2, mp3 players, ebay, myspace.com, xbox, ps2, mp3 players, ebay, myspace.com, ebooks, online banking-shopping-news-ebooks, online banking-shopping-news-education-gambling-dating-everything,…education-gambling-dating-everything,…

Times Have ChangedTimes Have Changed

According to MarketingVox.com:According to MarketingVox.com:“Online users are now spending about 14 “Online users are now spending about 14 hours a week, on average - the same hours a week, on average - the same amount of time that they spend watching amount of time that they spend watching TV.”TV.”

According to 2006 Trendswatch:According to 2006 Trendswatch:“While some may write many … (virtual) “While some may write many … (virtual) worlds off as 'kid-stuff‘, 40 million habbos worlds off as 'kid-stuff‘, 40 million habbos can’t be ignored. If nothing else, I think the can’t be ignored. If nothing else, I think the popularity of avatar-based online social popularity of avatar-based online social experiences will continue to grow in 2006." experiences will continue to grow in 2006."

In Case You Haven’t In Case You Haven’t Noticed…Noticed…

The young generation is always on and The young generation is always on and always connected. They want everything always connected. They want everything now. They get everything now!now. They get everything now!

Higher Education is big business.Higher Education is big business. Online Education is growing rapidly Online Education is growing rapidly

(375,000,000 hits on google.com).(375,000,000 hits on google.com). Asynchronous classes will replace Asynchronous classes will replace

traditional offering (take a close look at traditional offering (take a close look at the highly profitable University of the highly profitable University of Phoenix).Phoenix).

An Interesting News Item…An Interesting News Item…

Jan. 15, 2006 (AP newswire) - At Arizona Jan. 15, 2006 (AP newswire) - At Arizona State, 11,000 students take fully online State, 11,000 students take fully online courses and 40,000 use the online courses and 40,000 use the online course management system, which is course management system, which is used by many "traditional" classes. used by many "traditional" classes. Administrators say the distinction Administrators say the distinction between online and traditional is now between online and traditional is now so meaningless it may not even be so meaningless it may not even be reflected in next fall's course catalogue. reflected in next fall's course catalogue.

How Did I Get Into This?How Did I Get Into This?

1958 1958 1968 1968 1969 – 1972… a complete blur1969 – 1972… a complete blur1973 – 1979… blurred clarity1973 – 1979… blurred clarity1980 – 1986 1980 – 1986 1986 - 1991… teaching with 1986 - 1991… teaching with

technologytechnology1992 – 2001… massive exploration1992 – 2001… massive exploration2002 – present… e-learning obsession2002 – present… e-learning obsession

Chief Motivators – Good and Chief Motivators – Good and BadBad

Bob Collings – HS Teacher, FriendBob Collings – HS Teacher, Friend History and Political Science ProfessorsHistory and Political Science Professors Plenty of Crummy JobsPlenty of Crummy Jobs John Hardy – Friend, MentorJohn Hardy – Friend, Mentor Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University UH – College of Natural Sciences and UH – College of Natural Sciences and

MathematicsMathematics Textbook publishersTextbook publishers Blackboard, WebCT and OthersBlackboard, WebCT and Others Mathematics Department NeedsMathematics Department Needs

The TruthThe Truth

All Mathematics Students NeedAll Mathematics Students NeedPlenty of WorkPlenty of Work

And And Plenty of FeedbackPlenty of Feedback

Mathematics is not a spectator sport!Mathematics is not a spectator sport!

The University of HoustonThe University of Houston

… … is a commuter campus.is a commuter campus.… … is a large state university which is a large state university which

attracts “the masses”.attracts “the masses”.… … teaches first and second year teaches first and second year

mathematics courses in very large mathematics courses in very large sections.sections.

Question: How can we provide sufficient Question: How can we provide sufficient work and feedback for our students?work and feedback for our students?

UH Mathematics Department UH Mathematics Department SolutionsSolutions

Online Weekly Homework, daily Online Weekly Homework, daily “poppers”, and daily written work for “poppers”, and daily written work for 8,000 students in freshmen and 8,000 students in freshmen and sophomore level sophomore level MathematicsMathematics courses. courses.

Online discussion and chat…Online discussion and chat…Online E-Tutoring…Online E-Tutoring…Online E-Teaching…Online E-Teaching…Streaming capabilities.Streaming capabilities.Complete control of course content.Complete control of course content.

What Types of Teaching Give What Types of Teaching Give Rise To These Needs?Rise To These Needs?

Traditional Courses.Traditional Courses.Hibrid Courses.Hibrid Courses.Online Online Low Level Low Level Undergraduate Undergraduate

Courses.Courses.Online Graduate Level Courses (like Online Graduate Level Courses (like

many schools, UH offers an online many schools, UH offers an online Masters in Mathematics).Masters in Mathematics).

The same types of teaching done by The same types of teaching done by every department on the UH campus every department on the UH campus (and the world).(and the world).

Undergraduate Mathematics at Undergraduate Mathematics at UHUH

Math 1xxx – Fundamentals of Math 1xxx – Fundamentals of Mathematics, College Algebra, Finite Mathematics, College Algebra, Finite Mathematics, Business Calculus, Pre-Mathematics, Business Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Calculus I and Calculus II.Calculus, Calculus I and Calculus II.

Math 2311 – Introductory Statistics.Math 2311 – Introductory Statistics.Everything else.Everything else.

Breakdown…Breakdown…

Math 1xxx – 14,000 students per Math 1xxx – 14,000 students per year.year.

Math 2311 – 1,500 students per year.Math 2311 – 1,500 students per year.The rest – The rest – much smaller.much smaller.

Focus – Math 1xxx and 2311Focus – Math 1xxx and 2311

Online CoursesOnline CoursesTraditional CoursesTraditional Courses

Modern Similarities of Traditional Modern Similarities of Traditional

and Online Coursesand Online CoursesOnline syllabi, handouts, assignments, Online syllabi, handouts, assignments,

course calendars, etc…course calendars, etc…Email, online chat and online discussion Email, online chat and online discussion

board help.board help.Online textbooks.Online textbooks.Online streaming lectures.Online streaming lectures.Online tutoring and teaching (combining Online tutoring and teaching (combining

electronic whiteboard, chat and VOIP).electronic whiteboard, chat and VOIP).Online quizzes.Online quizzes.

Tools of the Trade…Tools of the Trade…Course Management Software – WebCT, Course Management Software – WebCT,

Balckboard, Moodle, and many more, Balckboard, Moodle, and many more, including home-grown varieties (cf. including home-grown varieties (cf. University of Texas, University of University of Texas, University of Nebraska, South Carolina State Nebraska, South Carolina State University, University of Houston, …)University, University of Houston, …)

Online meeting software – Macromedia Online meeting software – Macromedia Breeze, Horizon Wimba, Marratech, Breeze, Horizon Wimba, Marratech, Elluminate, and many more, including Elluminate, and many more, including home-grown varieties.home-grown varieties.

Radio Frequency Devices – Quizdom, Radio Frequency Devices – Quizdom, etc…etc…

Online Mathematics Courses at Online Mathematics Courses at UHUH

College Algebra, Finite Mathematics, College Algebra, Finite Mathematics, Business Calculus and Basic Business Calculus and Basic Statistics.Statistics.

1400 students per year and growing!1400 students per year and growing!Weekly online quizzes.Weekly online quizzes.ProctoredProctored midterm and final exam. midterm and final exam.Online discussion board help.Online discussion board help.Online texts.Online texts.Streaming mini lectures.Streaming mini lectures.

Traditional First and Second Year Traditional First and Second Year Courses at UHCourses at UH

Large sections.Large sections. Prerequisite testing.Prerequisite testing. Attendance poppers.Attendance poppers. Written homework.Written homework. Weekly online quizzes.Weekly online quizzes. Secure testing.Secure testing. Online texts.Online texts. Streaming mini lectures.Streaming mini lectures. Online live tutoring (in beta).Online live tutoring (in beta).

PerformancePerformance

Virtually IdenticalVirtually Identical

(although online instruction is not for (although online instruction is not for everyone)everyone)

Online ComponentsOnline Components

World Viewable Learning Materials (home World Viewable Learning Materials (home grown) Some of these can be seed at grown) Some of these can be seed at http://http://online.math.uh.eduonline.math.uh.edu..

Secure Materials (grades, discussion Secure Materials (grades, discussion boards, scheduler, quizzes, tests, publisher boards, scheduler, quizzes, tests, publisher owned texts) owned texts) http://http://casa.uh.educasa.uh.edu. .

Online live tutoring and teaching Online live tutoring and teaching (currently using Estudy – developed at (currently using Estudy – developed at UH). I will host an online live session UH). I will host an online live session TOMORROW morning from Beijing with my TOMORROW morning from Beijing with my students at UH.students at UH.

Shameless Self Exploitation…Shameless Self Exploitation…(recall that I am the director of CASA)(recall that I am the director of CASA)

What is CASA?What is CASA?

How did CASA evolve?How did CASA evolve?

What is the mission of CASA?What is the mission of CASA?

CASACASA

CCenter for enter for AAcademic cademic SSupport and upport and AAssessment at the University of ssessment at the University of

HoustonHouston

(A center for learning support (A center for learning support and e-learning software and e-learning software

development.)development.)

The Evolution of CASAThe Evolution of CASA

(it’s a long story that is easier said (it’s a long story that is easier said than written)than written)

What Is The What Is The Current Current Mission Of Mission Of CASA?CASA?

CASA’s Mission is to Facilitate CASA’s Mission is to Facilitate Improved Teaching and Learning in a Improved Teaching and Learning in a

Rapidly Evolving Environment.Rapidly Evolving Environment.

Components of CASAComponents of CASA

Face-to-Face Mathematics TutoringFace-to-Face Mathematics TutoringSecure TestingSecure Testing

Online Electronic HomeworkOnline Electronic HomeworkOnline TutoringOnline TutoringE-Learning Software Development E-Learning Software Development

(CourseWare)(CourseWare)

CASA Inside And OutCASA Inside And Out

Bricks and MortarBricks and Mortar

Virtual Bricks and MortarVirtual Bricks and Mortar

Bricks And MortarBricks And Mortar

Virtual Bricks And MortarVirtual Bricks And Mortar

Online HomeworkOnline Homework Onsite and Remote Secure TestingOnsite and Remote Secure Testing Discussion and ChatDiscussion and Chat Live E-TutoringLive E-Tutoring Live E-InstructionLive E-Instruction Electronic TextbooksElectronic Textbooks Streaming InstructionStreaming Instruction

(With independence from externally (With independence from externally supplied software and learning/e-learning supplied software and learning/e-learning materials.)materials.)

Time Table For Electronic Time Table For Electronic Evolution…Evolution…

Recent Quote on CNNRecent Quote on CNN

"Historically, higher education has taken a one-size-fits-"Historically, higher education has taken a one-size-fits-all mentality: That if you want to get a degree, you all mentality: That if you want to get a degree, you

must leave town, stop working, live in a dorm. But we must leave town, stop working, live in a dorm. But we are way past that. We have to be engaged in lifelong are way past that. We have to be engaged in lifelong

learning, especially if our society is to compete learning, especially if our society is to compete

globally."globally." - - University of Phoenix President Laura University of Phoenix President Laura

Palmer NoonePalmer Noone

UH has never fit the historical model.UH has never fit the historical model.Your university either doesn’t fit the historical Your university either doesn’t fit the historical

model, or it won’t fit it in the future.model, or it won’t fit it in the future.

For More Information…For More Information…

Send email to jmorgan@math.uh.eduSend email to jmorgan@math.uh.edu