Investigating Basic College Mathematics (with CD-ROM, BCA Tutorial, and InfoTrac) [Paperback]

Laura Bracken (Author), Hazel McKenna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2002

INVESTIGATING BASIC COLLEGE MATHEMATICS is a flexible worktext that supports a variety of teaching methods. The book engages students in active learning, allowing them to discover knowledge and describe their understandings. Through a blend of lecture-type Discussions and Investigations, this book provides a comprehensive foundation in basic mathematical concepts. While the table of contents for this text is similar to others on the market, the presentation is unique. Carefully designed INVESTIGATIONS lead students to discover key concepts, while DISCUSSIONS offer a more traditional explanation. The INVESTIGATIONS can be completed as a class led by the instructor, in cooperative groups, or by the student alone. Instead of passively listening to an explanation of the concept, the student participates in its development, followed immediately by practice and application of the concept. This method helps developmental students understand and retain concepts. Selected for their high interest, the application problems are drawn from the media and everyday situations. Students find the problems relevant and easy to visualize; a variety of applications provides substantial practice. The authors also provide an organizer (the five step method) to help students learn to get started and finish problems successfully. Because students are constantly asked to apply their skills in application problems, systems of measurement are introduced early. This also prepares students for success in related classes in the natural sciences, social sciences, and technology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this book (provides) the structure and content to meet a variety of teaching methods from a lecture format to a student centered format. The book is highly interactive from the student's point of view and each instructor may determine how they wish to use the writing assignments, check your understandings, review exercises, etc...."

About the Author

Laura Bracken teaches developmental mathematics at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. Her interests include cooperative learning in the multi-age classroom, appropriate use of technology in developmental mathematics, and coping skills for math anxiety and math hatred. Her presentations at the American Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges' annual national meetings include "Assessment and the Standards: When is 70% Good Enough?" (2001); "Factoring and the Standards: Implications and Recommendations" (2000); "Problem Solving Strategies: Prescription or Proscription" (1999); "Teaching Algorithms in Cooperative Groups" (1998); and "Teaching Over the Internet with a Shoestring Budget" (1997). She has also worked as a consultant on multimedia projects for developmental mathematics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 1 edition (July 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0030344948
• ISBN-13: 978-0030344947
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,467,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.