Blogs (5) >>
Thu 27 Feb 2025 10:45 - 11:03 at Meeting Rooms 306-307 - Discrete Math Chair(s): Michael Miljanovic

We created and field-tested in-class activities that target mathematical underpinnings of algorithms such as proofs of correctness, design of counterexamples for incorrect algorithms, and design of (correct) new algorithms. These challenging topics are difficult for the students to grasp, and this issue is further exacerbated by students’ varied mathematical background and classes with large enrollments. Active learning has become very popular in introductory courses, but materials for algorithms appear to be lacking. We are aware of existing activities that ask students to trace a standard algorithm, which helps them to understand how that algorithm works, but often not why. Our activities target the ``why'' aspect: the algorithmic critical thinking. We deployed our activities in two classes: a large class of 108 students and a small honors section of 8 students. We describe our activities, the rationale behind them, and our impressions and students’ feedback related to these activities.

Thu 27 Feb

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10:45 - 12:00
Discrete MathPapers at Meeting Rooms 306-307
Chair(s): Michael Miljanovic Ontario Tech University
10:45
18m
Talk
Mathematical underpinnings of algorithms via in-class activities
Papers
Ivona Bezakova Rochester Institute of Technology
11:03
18m
Talk
Measuring the Impact of Distractors on Student Learning Gains while Using Proof Blocks
Papers
Seth Poulsen Utah State University, Hongxuan Chen University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Yael Gertner University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Benjamin Cosman University of California at San Diego, USA, Matthew West University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , Geoffrey Herman University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
11:22
18m
Talk
Satisfactory for all: supporting mastery learning with human-in-the-loop assessments in a discrete math course
Papers
Shao-Heng Ko Duke University, Alex Chao Duke University, Violet Pang Duke University
11:41
18m
Talk
Students' Thoughts on Discrete Mathematics: Insights for Practice and Implications for Future Research
Papers
David Magda University of Florida, Christina Gardner-McCune Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA