Mathematics Department
Departmental Goals
Fall 2000 – Fall 2005
The mission of Phoenix
College’s Mathematics
Department is to provide a comprehensive, quality mathematics program
that serves the needs of a diverse student population with a variety
of educational pursuits.
The department provides meaningful support services, responds to
the changing environment of mathematics education, and promotes effective
instructional strategies with students actively participating in the
learning process.
To carry out the mission, the mathematics department will:
1. Provide
a learning environment that actively involves students in a meaningful
educational process; (1, 3, 4, 6)*
a.
When room is available, set up a math resource center complete with
manipulatives, tutoring, quite study areas, computers, and
videos featuring topics relevant to math.
b. improve appearance of classroom by equipping rooms with posters
and models demonstrating math principles.
c.
equip classrooms with computers for demonstrations and for student
use, for students to use; graphing calculator overheads and charts,
and videos available at the touch of a finger
d. use a variety of texts that stimulates creativity and critical
thinking and use of technology.
2. Provide
classrooms with appropriate furniture and technologies for interactive
teaching methods; (1, 3, 4, 6)*
a.
provide at least one technology classroom including stations for
student use and a fully equipped teacher’s station with appropriate
software to enable the addition of a computer algebra software component
b. expand
the use of graphing calculators to all of the math classes
c.
provide classroom sets of calculators and graph links for student
use
3. Provide
positive experiences that stimulate an interest in and an appreciation
for mathematics; (1, 3, 4, 5)*
a.
continue the annual Math Awareness Day activity
b. continue
the annual participation in the AMATYC math contest
c.
obtain funding to present at least one math-related speaker per
semester
4. Assist
students to achieve goals: (1, 4)*
a.
post math course flowcharts throughout the campus
b. provide
a full-time member of the math department for advisement during
summer months
5. Provide
students with a choice of learning environments; (1, 2, 3, 4, 7)*
a.
create interdisciplinary courses thorough learning communities such
as nursing and MAT102
b. enhance
cooperative learning environments by furnishing classrooms with
appropriate furniture
c.
create flexible scheduling
d. providing
faculty with more time for preparation for collaborative/cooperative
education and use of technology
e.
providing professional growth opportunities (in house)
f.
provide inventory of teaching styles for publication on
the web
g.
continue to encourage and support a variety of teaching styles to
provide choices for various learning styles
6. Increase
the participation, retention, and success of students enrolled in
mathematics; (1, 3, 4, 6)*
a.
continue to offer weekend classes and mini courses
b. expand
video tape holding to include all levels for example subject specific
ideas
c.
integrate interesting, applied problems from industry, chemistry,
physics, nursing, etc. into math courses
d. continue
to offer flexible scheduling of faculty so evening students have
greater access to full-time faculty
e.
continue to provide at least one member of the math department to
serve on the campus wide assessment committee
f.
seek reassigned time to improve assessment process
g.
continue to expand the tutoring services in the math study area
7. Provide
support services to accommodate a diverse student population; (1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)*
a.
hire students from a variety of races and ethnic backgrounds as
tutors
b. provide
an adequate supply of graphing calculators for student rental
c.
provide video/audio instructional tapes in multiple languages
d. provide
training for faculty and student helpers to serve special needs
students and students with different cultural backgrounds
e.
provide math software for all courses in the library and in the
math lab study area for students to use and explore
f.
continue to provide a minimum of 65 clock hours of peer
tutoring per week in the Math.Zone
g.
continue to provide at least two faculty tutors/advisors in the
Learning Center
each semester
h.
recruit and retain faculty with diverse backgrounds
8. Be
a resource for the community; (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)*
a.
improve the World Wide Web page for the PC Math Dept. The page would
include course information, Math.Zone
hours, schedule updates, etc.
b. have
an annual open house with math faculty from area high schools to
discuss curriculum and articulation issues
c.
form a partnership with Osborn
Elementary School
District
9. Support
professional development of full-time and part-time mathematics faculty;
(1, 2, 7)*
a.
continue joint department meetings to encourage communication
between part-time and full-time PC faculty.
b. have two math departments meetings per month: a business meeting,
and then a “theme” meeting to allow PC faculty to discuss
teaching techniques, pedagogical issues, etc.
c.
determine the applicability of mathematics in various occupations
and professions
* Parenthetical numbers refer to the college goals.
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