The schedule and outline for this course is available at http://www.math.uic.edu/~burgiel/Mtht480/syllabus.html.
From the catalog: For elementary school teachers. Introduction to microcomputers and their use in elementary school mathematics. Basic microcomputer functions, educational software programs, pedagogical and curricular implications, and implementation questions. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.S. in the Teaching of Mathematics program (Option for Elementary School Teachers) or consent of the instructor.
The Fall '98 course will take the form of a "topics" course, in order to better expose students to a range of different software packages and teaching methods. Topics covered will include symmetry, transformations, Pascal's triangle, web page design, and educational resources on the world wide web. Software used will include The Geometer's Sketchpad, Kali, Netscape and Microsoft Excel, on a Macintosh platform. Class sessions will revolve around activities and group work with a minimum of lecture time. Students will be required to evaluate software and techniques used in class in terms of appropriate applications to elementary teaching.
Project, 30%: Students will work on a project during the semester, singly or in groups. They will share their results with the entire class at an end of semester presentation. In the event that there is a blizzard on the day of the presentation, students will be expected to submit a written summary of their results to the instructor.
Class Participation, 20%: Students will work in groups in class and will be expected to present the results of their work in class discussions.
The class will use the commercial software packages The Geometer's Sketchpad and Microsoft Excel.