Information on James R. Olsen |
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Beginning Fall 2020, I became Assistant Chair for the Department of Mathematics and Philosophy |
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I have been teaching at Western Illinois University since the Fall of 1994. After graduation from Doane College (1979) I taught high school mathematics for ten years. I was also the head boys basketball coach for nine years at Centura HS in Cairo, NE. I hold two Master's degrees (one in Mathematics Education from University of Nebraska-Kearney, and one in Mathematics from Colorado State University). My PhD (Educational Mathematics) is from the University of Northern Colorado (1994). I am a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Philosophy at Western Illinois University. I teach mathematics courses and teaching methods courses for prospective and practicing teachers. My research interests are mental math, student understanding of the function concept, multiplicative reasoning (including proportional reasoning and rates), educational uses of technology, logic for middle school, student understanding of fractions, decimals, and percents, problem solving; and teaching mathematical and higher-order reasoning while seeing the beauty of mathematics. Recent awards: Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching with Technology from the College of Arts and Sciences, Western Illinois University, April 2019; Award for Academic Excellence in Enhancing Learning with Technology from the Provost, Western Illinois University, October 2019.
I consider myself a Christian, family member, teacher, athlete, and scholar. I believe that children and students, Pre-K through graduate school, are important (see Children Are ABC's) and represent our future. I enjoy living in Macomb (past weather: Wunder or NOAA) and being part of the Wesley UMC family. I vacation at Lake Okoboji (water levels, okobojipics, okobojiadmin) in Iowa. Information about my wonderful family is below. In summer 2007 I went to Germany with my family. We went to Berlin. It was a moving experience for me to be there with the Berlin Wall down and able to walk under the Brandenburg Gate. I'm involved with Academic Year in America, a foreign exchange agency. My favorite book is The Story of the Other Wise Man. More links of interest: Happiness Coin, Three Things, Sung Graces. More of my off-campus interests are listed below. names form; men's ministry form; teachers form; Preachers form; new WIU grad form responses; Stories Database form. My personal website domain is drjimo.net.
University:
UCEP - University Committee for Education Preparation- Leatherneck Athletics Strategic Plan Steering Committee
Department:
- Assistant Chair for the Department of Mathematics and Philosophy
- Lower Division Curriculum Committee Chair
- Mathematics Education Committee
- Math Teachers Conference Website Coordinator
- High School Relations Executive Committee
Off Campus:
- Wesley Church Communications Committee Chair
- Wesley Church Learn-Grow-Serve committee member
- Lay Speaker - UMC
- ISMAA board member (through 2025) Two-Year College Committee (through 2023)
University:
UCEP - University Committee for Education Preparation- Search Committee for the Field Experience Supervisor
- Search Committee for COEHS Assistant Dean
- SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (meets infrequently)
Department:
- Assistant Chair for the Department of Mathematics and Philosophy
- Lower Division Curriculum Committee Chair
- Mathematics Education Committee
- Math Teachers Conference Website Coordinator
- High School Relations Executive Committee
Off Campus:
- Wesley Church Communications Committee Chair
- Wesley Church Learn-Grow-Serve committee member
- Lay Speaker - UMC
- ISMAA board member (through 2022) Two-Year College Committee (through 2022)
- Special Nominating Committee for the Section Representative (ISMAA)
- Webmaster for bombersports.org
University:
UCEP - University Committee for Education Preparation- SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (meets infrequently)
- CIT - Council for Instructional Technology
Department:
- Assistant Chair for the Department of Mathematics and Philosophy
- Lower Division Curriculum Committee Chair
- Mathematics Education Committee
- Math Teachers Conference Website Coordinator
- High School Relations Executive Committee
- 099/100 Revisions Committee
Off Campus:
- Wesley Church Communications Committee Chair
- Wesley Church Learn-Grow-Serve committee member
- Lay Speaker - UMC
- ISMAA board member (through 2022) Two-Year College Committee (through 2022)
- Webmaster for bombersports.org
University:
UCEP - University Committee for Education Preparation- SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (meets infrequently)
- CIT - Council for Instructional Technology
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- Math Teachers Conference Website Coordinator
- Mathematics Resource Office (MRO) Coordinator
- High School Relations Executive Committee
- Mathematics and Philosophy Department Chairperson Search Committee
- 099/100 Revisions Committee
Off Campus:
- Wesley Church Communications Committee Chair
- Wesley Church Learn-Grow-Serve Committee Chair
- Lay Speaker - UMC
- ISMAA board member (through 2022)
- Webmaster for bombersports.org
University:
UCEP - University Committee for Education Preparation- SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (meets infrequently)
- Teacher Education Test Success Committee - Chair
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- Math Teachers Conference Website Coordinator
- Mathematics Resource Office (MRO) Coordinator
- High School Relations Executive Committee
Off Campus:
- Wesley Church Communications Committee Chair
- Wesley Church Learn-Grow-Serve Committee Chair
- Lay Speaker - UMC
- Webmaster for bombersports.org
University:
UCEP - University Committee for Education Preparation- SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (meets infrequently)
- CIT - Council for Instructional Technology (A&S Rep) '17-'18 (excused), '18-'19, '19-'20.
- CAEP Steering Committee
- Teacher Education Test Success Committee
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- Math Teachers Conference Paperwork & Website Coordinator
- Mathematics Resource Office (MRO) Tutor and Scheduling Coordinator
- High School Relations Executive Committee
Off Campus:
- Wesley Church Communications Committee Chair
- Wesley Church Learn-Grow-Serve Committee Chair
- Webmaster for bombersports.org
University:
UCEP - University Committee for Education Preparation- SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (meets infrequently)
- CAEP Steering Committee
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- Department Curriculum Committee (Math Educ. Rep)
- Math Teachers Conference Paperwork & Website Coordinator
- Mathematics Resource Office (MRO) Tutor, Student Assistants, and Scheduling Coordinator
- High School Relations Executive Committee
Off Campus:
- ISMAA Teacher Education Committee Chairman
- Wesley Church Communications Committee Chair
- Wesley Church Learn-Grow-Serve Committee Chair
·Wife - Marilyn, my teammate, married July 29, 1988.·Diane - Drake University graduate. Accounting and Finance majors. Math minor. Financial Analyst at Upsher-Smith. CPA.·Eric - Drake University graduate. Marketing major. Ultimate Frisbee enthusiast. Employed as a Commercial Account Manager for Interstate Batteries.
·Rachel - Drake University graduate. Mathematics, Data Analytics, and Computer Science majors. Database Developer at Bankers Trust.·My Mom, Ruth Olsen, passed away February 14, 2022. obituary here She was much loved and much missed.
·My dad, Walter Olsen, passed away May 1, 2010. obituary here He was much loved and much missed.![]()
Committees and Responsibilities for 2015-2016
University:
UCEP - University Committee for Education Preparation- CIA - Council on Intercollegiate Athletics, Chair
- SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (meets infrequently)
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- High School Relations Executive Committee
- Principal Investigator for the Teacher Quality- Leadership Grant (aka Race to the Top- teacher preparation program redesign project) $26,124 grant (FY14: $8,712, FY15: $11,491, FY16: $5,921).
Committees and Responsibilities for 2014-2015
University:
SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
- UTEC Subcommittee on WIU's web-based assessment system.
- CIA - Council on Intercollegiate Athletics, Chair
- Sanction and Termination Pool - Fall '13 - Spg '15
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- High School Relations Executive Committee
Committees and Responsibilities for 2013-2014
University:
SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
- CIA - Council on Intercollegiate Athletics
- Sanction and Termination Pool - Fall '13 - Spg '15
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee, Chair
- High School Relations Executive Committee
Committees and Responsibilities for 2012-2013
University:
SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee, Chair
- High School Relations Executive Committee
Dr. Olsen was on Sabbatical during the 2011-2012 academic year
Committees and Responsibilities for 2010-2011
University:
SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
College of Arts and Science:
- Undergraduate Research Collaboration
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- High School Relations Executive Committee
- Department Curriculum Committee (Math Educ. Rep)
- 4-Year Chair Review Committee, Chairperson
Committees and Responsibilities for 2009-2010
University:
SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
College of Arts and Science:
- Undergraduate Research Collaboration
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- High School Relations Executive Committee
- Department Personnel Committee
Committees and Responsibilities for 2008-2009
University:
SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (formerly FAASTEC - Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences Teacher Education Committee)- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
College of Arts and Science:
- Undergraduate Research Collaboration
Department:
- Mathematics Education Committee
- High School Relations Executive Committee
- Committee on Secondary Math Teacher Certification
- Department Personnel Committee
Committees and Responsibilities for 2007-2008
University:
SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (formerly FAASTEC - Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences Teacher Education Committee)- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
College of Arts and Science:
- Undergraduate Research Collaboration
Department:
LDCC (Lower Division Curriculum Committee) Mathematics Education Committee, Chair- High School Relations Executive Committee
- Committee on Secondary Math Teacher Certification
Committees and Responsibilities for 2006-2007
University:
SEDG - Secondary Education Discussion Group (formerly FAASTEC - Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences Teacher Education Committee)- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
- CIA - Council of Intercollegiate Athletics
College of Arts and Science:
- Undergraduate Research Collaboration
Department:
Advisory Council Mathematics Education Committee, Chair- High School Relations Committee
- Committee on Secondary Math Teacher Certification
Math T.E.A.M. AdvisorPast Memberships
Committees and Responsibilities for 2005-2006
Illinois Section of the Mathematics Association of America
- Committee on Teacher Education
University:
FAASTEC - Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences Teacher Education Committee- UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee
- UTEC Subcommittee for Electronic Portfolios
- CIA - Council of Intercollegiate Athletics
College of Arts and Science:
- Undergraduate Research Collaboration
Department:
Advisory Council
- Department Grade Appeals Committee
Mathematics Education Committee, co-chair Department Personnel Committee Departmental Grade Appeal Committee Math T.E.A.M. Advisor
Committees and Responsibilities for 2004-2005
Illinois State Board of Education:
Mathematics Content Advisory CommitteeIllinois Section of the Mathematics Association of America
Committee on Teacher EducationUniversity:
FAASTEC - Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences Teacher Education Committee UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee UTEC Subcommittee for Electronic Portfolios Teacher Education Assessment Committee CIA - Council of Intercollegiate Athletics, ChairCollege of Arts and Science:
Undergraduate Research CollaborationDepartment:
Mathematics Education Committee Department Personnel Committee Math T.E.A.M. AdvisorCommittees and Responsibilities for 2003-2004
Illinois State Board of Education:
Mathematics Content Advisory CommitteeUniversity:
FAASTEC - Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences Teacher Education Committee UTEC - University Teacher Education Committee UTEC Subcommittee for Electronic Portfolios Teacher Education Assessment CommitteeCollege of Arts and Science:
Undergraduate Research CollaborationDepartment:
Advisory Council Mathematics Education Committee Lower Division Curriculum Committee Math T.E.A.M. Advisor Ad Hoc Undergraduate Program Review Committee
Committees and Responsibilities for 2002-2003
University:
FAASTEC - Fine Arts and Arts and Sciences Teacher Education Committee UTEC - University Teacher Education CommitteeDepartment:
Advisory Council
- Department Grade Appeals Committee
Mathematics Department Grade Appeal Committee Mathematics Education Committee High School Relations Committee - Chair Lower Division Curriculum Committee Math T.E.A.M. Advisor
Committees and Responsibilities for 2001-2002
Department:
Coordinator of Mathematics Education Service Activities Personnel Committee Mathematics Education Committee - Chair High School Relations Committee - Chair Lower Division Curriculum Committee Redesign Committee - Chair Math T.E.A.M. AdvisorOff campus:
·Board member (Director for Public Universities), Illinois Section of the Mathematical Association of America·Program Committee - chair·Co-Editor of the Illinois Mathematics Teacher, the official journal of the ICTMCommittees and Responsibilities for 2000-2001
University:
C.I.A. Council on Intercollegiate Athletics, Chair Council on Planning Strategies UTEC University Teacher Education Committee College College Grade Appeals Committee
Department:
Coordinator of Mathematics Education Service Activities Advisory Council Personnel Committee Mathematics Education Committee High School Relations Committee - Chair Lower Division Curriculum Committee Redesign Committee - Chair Math T.E.A.M. AdvisorOff campus:·Board member (Director for Public Universities), Illinois Section of the Mathematical Association of America·Two-year College Committee - chair·Program Committee·Co-Editor of the Illinois Mathematics Teacher, the official journal of the ICTM
Committees and Responsibilities for 1999-2000
University:
C.I.A. Council on Intercollegiate Athletics Council on Planning StrategiesDepartment:
Coordinator of Mathematics Education Service Activities Advisory Council
- Department Grade Appeals Committee
Mathematics Education Committee High School Relations Committee - Chair Lower Division Curriculum Committee
Major project - to develop a mathematics competency course Redesign Committee - Chair P-16 Mathematics Partnership Program (coordinated by the ROE #26)
Course developer Statistical analysis Math T.E.A.M. AdvisorOff campus:·Board member (Director for Public Universities), Illinois Section of the Mathematical Association of America·Two-year College Committee - chair·Program Committee·Co-Editor of the Illinois Mathematics Teacher, the official journal of the ICTMOther
- Lower Division Curriculum Committee (LDCC) - 1994-95 through 2003-04
- Mathematics Education Committee - 1994-95 through present (2011-12 off for sabbatical)
If you delay till to-morrow what ought to be done to-day, you overcharge the morrow with a burden which belongs not to it. You load the wheels of time, and prevent it from carrying you along smoothly. He who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows out the plan, carries on a thread which will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy life. The orderly arrangement of his time is like a ray of light which darts itself through all his affairs. But where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incidents, all things lie huddled together in one chaos, which admits neither of distribution nor review.
By: HUGH BLAIR, “On the Importance of Order in Conduct.”