The Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin and Pearson Launch Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning, the First Course for the New Mathways Project
Austin, TX (PRWEB) September 14, 2015 -- The Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas, Austin, in partnership with Pearson, today announced the availability of the New Mathways Project’s (NMP) first digital course, Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning. Studies conducted by research institutions including the Community College Research Center have indicated that community college students are underprepared upon entry into developmental and collegiate math studies. The NMP provides a systematic effort to support community colleges in implementing multiple math pathways that include rigorous, transferrable, college-level content that meets the requirements of specific academic programs and careers. Additional online courses for Statistical Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Reasoning with Functions will be available in MyMathLab and MyStatLab in the spring of 2016.
“Through the NMP, the Dana Center is building courses for three mathematics pathways in statistics, quantitative reasoning and “STEM-Prep”, which is the path to calculus,” said Amy Getz, M.A., Strategic Implementation Lead, Charles A. Dana Center, University of Texas at Austin. “The pathways allow students to learn mathematics content that is meaningful to their lives and to earn college-level credit more quickly than many traditional programs. Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning is designed for students who do not place into college-level courses and is a common starting point for all three pathways. It develops deep conceptual understanding of foundational mathematics concepts and critical thinking skills through active learning. The course is also designed to help students develop skills as independent learners.”
Mathematics pathways is a course or sequence of courses that a student takes to fulfill the mathematics requirements for a program. The term is now commonly used as shorthand for a vision in which institutions offer a small number of accelerated math pathways aligned to programs of study.
Interactive, online resources and instruction are a critical component of the NMP's strategy to accelerate the learning sequence and drive achievement. Pearson’s Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy, Jason Jordan, said, “MyMathLab for Foundations of Mathematical Reasoning provides students with rich content to prepare for class time, interactive lessons to support students through an active classroom experience, online homework assignments, and additional resources. Ultimately, through the NMP, institutions and educators will be more empowered to improve learner outcomes at community colleges in Texas and throughout the country.”
The Dana Center works with coalitions of 2- and 4-year institutions often on a regional or state level to address inter-institutional issues such as state policies, placement, transfer and applicability. The goal of this work is to create a positive policy environment for math pathways.
Visit Pearson’s Teaching and Learning Blog to read more about the New Mathways Project.
About the Charles A. Dana Center at the University of Texas at Austin
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin develops and scales effective math and science innovations to support educators, administrators, and policy makers in creating seamless transitions throughout the K-14 system for all students. To learn more, visit the Charles A. Dana Center website.
About Pearson
Pearson is the world’s leading learning company, with 40,000 employees in more than 80 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. For more information about Pearson, visit the Pearson website.
Media Contacts
Monette McIver, mmciver(at)austin(dot)utexas.edu or 512-475-9737
Laura Howe, laura.howe(at)pearson(dot)com
Laura Howe, Pearson, http://www.pearson.com, +1 (800) 745-8489, [email protected]
Share this article