- Overview
- R.L. Moore Exhibit
- AMS Special Session on Discovery Learning: The Moore Method in American Mathematics. Video recorded
- MAA Panel Discussion: New directions in Moore method teaching. Video recorded
- AMS-MAA Special Session
History of Mathematics, II - MAA Special Presentation
Mathematical experiences for students outside the classroom. - Project NExT Dinner
- EAF Dinner Meeting at Antoine's Restaurant
Overview
The Joint Mathematics Meetings of January 2001 were held in New Orleans. The gathering included the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Mathematical Society (AMS), 84th Meeting of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), annual meetings of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) and the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM), and the winter meeting of Association of Symbolic Logic (ASL). Both the New Orleans Marriott and Sheraton hotels on Canal Street were used to facilitate this distinguished gathering of mathematicians.
R.L. Moore Exhibit
The life and works of R.L. Moore were honoured at the Educational Advancement Foundations booth devoted to the R.L. Moore Legacy Project. The focal points of the booth were a series of six display boards concerning R.L. Moore's life and work. A number of handouts were available with the selection including over 40 individually authored papers concerning Moore, the Moore Method, and the experiences gleaned from his teaching method. These papers are available on our web page legacyrlmoore.org (see Reference section).
The papers proved very popular with a broad cross-section of conference attendees. This was attributed to the wide-ranging variety of subjects related to Moore by way of his methodology and remembrance. Interest was shown in how to create a Moore environment in the classroom, which is not limited only to Ph.D.-level courses. Several individuals expressed an interest in using the Moore Method in high school classrooms in the hope that 'self-discovery' might prove an encouraging means of instilling a thirst for continuing mathematical knowledge.
The attention of passers-by was drawn to the Moore videos on display: "Challenge in the Classroom" and "Introduction to the Moore Method" (10 minutes). These were both shown on a continuing basis and in excess of 100 copies were given away. The videos proved so popular that it was impossible to meet the demand. Visitors to the booth were encouraged to leave their contact details so that copies of the videos and handouts may be mailed to them, as they are re-issued.
Other items on the display tables included:
- A call for papers to be submitted in review for the up-coming 4th Annual Legacy of R.L. Moore Conference (dedicated to the memory of Ben Fitzpatrick, Jr.) at The University of Texas at Austin May 3-5, 2001.
- Leaflet on UTeach Secondary Teacher Preparation Program for Math and Science Majors.
- Web page: www.utexas.edu/cons/uteach/index.htm
- Brochure "Shaping the Future-New Expectations for Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics , Engineering and Technology".
After the opening day some of the other exhibitors were curious as to how the R.L. Moore booth attracted so many people. One exhibitor commented, "there's always a crowd here, it seems like a big family reunion". In some respects that statement was quite true. The descendants of R. L. Moore, H. S. Wall, and H. J. Ettlinger were in regular attendance. These included Jean and William (Bill) Mahavier, Jack Roach, Doug Stokes, and Harry Lucas, Jr., to mention a few.
Special thanks to Wayne Lewis, Wayne Proctor, and Lee Mahavier for doing an excellent job in assisting with the EAF booth.
AMS Special Session
Discovery Learning: The Moore Method in American Mathematics
Wednesday, January 20, 2001 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
Organized by Judy Kennedy and John Neuberger- Carol S. Schumacher, Kenyon College
Confessions of a Heretic - Glenda Lappan, Michigan State University
The Influence of R. L. Moore on Mathematics Education - H.W. Straley, Woodberry Forest School
David McRae, Woodberry Forest School
The R. L. Moore Method at the Secondary Level - G. M. Reed, Oxford University
Moore Methods and Spaces - Robert M. Kauffman, University of Alabama at Birmingham
A Moore Method Course in Analysis - Discussion
MAA Panel Discussion:
New directions in Moore method teaching
Thursday, January 12, 2001, 2:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Organized by James P. Ochoa and Ted MahavierA panel session about new directions in the use of the Moore method. Panelists addressed ways they have adapted the Moore method in undergraduate mathematics education. Innovations such as textbooks inspired by the Moore method, cooperative learning in calculus courses, Web-based courses, and distance learning will be discussed. This session was a sequel to the MAA panel session.
"Discovery-based teaching of undergraduate mathematics courses" at the 1999 Joint Mathematics Meeting, which featured panelists who are familiar with the traditional Moore method. Panelists include Carol Jean Browning, Drury University, Charles A. Coppin, University of Dallas; Dale Daniel, Lamar University; Joseph W. Eyles, University of the Incarnate Word; and Carol S. Schumacher, Kenyon College.
AMS-MAA Special Session
History of Mathematics, II
Friday, January 12, 2001, 3:30 p.m.
Organized by Karen H. Parshall and David E. ZitarelliHermann Grassmann's algebra of 1844 and his version of student-centered learning. Albert C. Lewis, Indiana University - Purdue University, Indianapolis
Lewis mentions R.L. Moore in his abstract and compares Grassmann's teaching ideas with those of Moore.
MAA Special Presentation
Mathematical experiences for students outside the classroom.
Friday January 12, 2001, 1:00 p.m.-3:20 p.m.
Organized by Richard L. Poss and Thomas E. KelleyR. L. Moore (1882-1974), University of Texas, produced what is regarded by many as the most distinguished group of mathematicians in the United States to have been taught by the same person. His technique, called the "Moore Method" is sometimes referred to as "discovery learning". Inspired by a presentation at the DC meetings last year, we managed to connect with an actual student of R. L. Moore's in our area, Dr. William Mahavier. After doing some research and watching a few videos, the ASU MAA student chapter had Dr. Mahavier as a speaker on campus. Using Dr. Mahavier's notes and suggestions, Dr. Cornelius Stallman started a small discovery learning experience in Real over pizza for interested students from our MAA student chapter. One student gave examples of definitions and theorems they were working on and presented one proof. As a side note, this "Outside the Classroom Experience" has actually spawned a class. Dr. Stallman will continue this project in a special topics class at Augusta State, Math 2950, during the spring semester of 2001.
Project NExT Dinner
Tuesday, January 9, 2001, 6:00 p.m. for the current group of Fellows:
The dinner provided an opportunity for the Fellows to reconnect with one another at the beginning of the New Orleans meeting. This event was also used to begin the planning part of the program for the summer meeting, August 2-4, 2001 in Madison, Wisconsin.
EAF Dinner Meeting at Antoine's Restaurant
Antoine's is New Orleans' oldest French Restaurant, being appropriately situated in the city's historic French Quarter. The restaurant, dating back to 1840, features a number of traditional dishes and some house specialties such as its famous version of Baked Alaska. The spacious Mystery Room proved an amiable venue for a dinner meeting hosted by Harry Lucas Jr. during which the future direction of the R.L. Moore Legacy Project was discussed.
Harry Lucas, Jr. Co-Chairman
John Neuberger Co-Chairman
Christine Stevens gave opening speech-talking about Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching)
David Weinrich spoke about NExT
R.D. (Dick) Anderson spoke about the MAA
Bill Mahavier spoke on several topics
Wayne Proctor
Ed Burger
Ted Mahavier spoke about Math Nerds web site
Carol Schumacher - gave comments
Mike Starbird - was one of the speakers
H.W. (Chuck) Straley spoke on Moore method at the secondary level
Jack Roach gave comments
Cornelius Stallman
Glenda Lappan spoke about the MAA
James Ochoa gave comments
Robert Kauffman gave comments
Judy Kennedy gave comments
Jerry Bona spoke on Mathematics immersion, inquiry based learning and Hungarian semesters.
John Parker
Also in attendance at the dinner were:
R.D. Anderson, Gayle Ball, Jerry Bona, Ed Burger, Randolf Cooper, Charles Coppin, Anolia Coppin, Dale Daniel, Joseph Eyeles, Naomi Fisher, Norma Flores, Robert Kauffman, Jane Kaufman, Judy Kennedy, Peter Lappan, Glenda Lappan, Albert Lewis, Harry Luca, Jr, Bill Mahavier, Jean Mahavier, Ted Mahavier, John Neuberger, Barbara Neuberger, Jimmy Ochoa, John Parker, Wayne Proctor, G. Mike Reed, John Riney, Jack Roach, David Robert, Mayumi Sakati, Carol Schumacher, Cornelius Stallman, Christine Stevens, Mike Starbird, H.W. Straley, Charlene Straley, Sylvia Trout, David Weinrich, John Worrell.
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