Web4Teaching

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The Scope of Web4Teaching: A Service Function of the UCD Mathematics Department

This is a statement of purpose and scope for the entitled service within the Mathematics Department, aimed at using the World Wide Web to teach mathematics. The fundamental purpose is to improve the quality and breadth of teaching mathematics at all college levels. The scope of this falls into four primary activities.

1. Gathering and Teaching Web Resources

The goal here is to serve as a filter in reviewing web resources and bring useful ones to the faculty, but without overwhelming them. Specific tasks are as follows.

Keep current on web materials related to teaching mathematics.
This involves regular visits to links already discovered plus new searches for what might become available. In addition, limitations in use will be cited, if known. (A current example is expecting CSC students to have immediate access to postscript, as their lab does not provide this in the way ours does -- see the Readme notes.)
Obtain courseware that can be useful for teaching mathematics.
This involves reviewing materials and maintaining annotated links. In some cases, this results in arranging for the installation of a system, such as for interactive computation. In the case of materials, such as course notes, this involves scrutinizing them.
Conduct workshops for the Mathematics Department (faculty and teaching assistants).
An introduction will be scheduled twice a year and will normally be 1-2 hours each. These will aim to demonstrate what is available. Another type of workshop aims to show how to use the web materials, including specific courseware. The exact number, length, type and level will be determined by demand.

2. Represent the Mathematics Department

The goal here is to coordinate with others, serving as the Department representative to the campus on all matters of using the web to teach mathematics, including distance learning. This involves coordination with the Office of Teaching Effectiveness, Academic Affairs committees, CU-Online, and any other offices or committees that arise in this connection.

3. Formulate Guidelines and Policies

The goal here is to lead the establishment of policies for the Mathematics Department to follow on all matters concerning the use of the web to teach mathematics. Once policies are in place (approved by the faculty), this service position remains concerned with them as an ongoing process. Specific tasks are as follows.

Coordination with Undergraduate and Graduate Committees.
This involves helping the committees arrive at sound policies regarding distance learning (viz., CU-Online).
Review policies established elsewhere
This includes other universities and societies that have expressed policies concerning the use of the web, especially for distance learning.

4. Seek funding

This involves writing proposals for supporting relevant projects. In some cases, this is an internal award, such as a computer to be used for using the web to teach mathematics. In other cases, it is external, such as to NSF, and would typically involve other departments in a coordinated effort.

This page is maintained by the Web4Teaching Director

Last update: June 21, 1998