Secondary Mathematics Teaching Methods ~ Math 503

On-Line through Western Illinois University

This course was last taught in summer 2005. The next offering of this online course has not been set by our department. If you are interested in this course, e-mail Jim Olsen.

See the Special Note about this page below.

Course Description

In the Methods of Teaching Secondary School Mathematics (Math 503) course we will look at current trends and issues in the teaching of secondary school mathematics.  It is an applied class, in that participants will come away from the course with specific activities, lessons, and teaching techniques that can be used in the junior and senior high school mathematics classroom.

Topics to be covered in Math 503 include:

• Conceptual Understanding of Mathematics for Enhancing Procedural Understanding
• Technology
• State and National Mathematics Learning Standards
• Early Calculus Concepts (even for students not planning to take Calculus)
• Assessment
• Using Problem Solving to Teach the Illinois Learning Standards
• Teaching of the function concept
• Geometry
• Cooperative Learning Techniques
• Mathematical modeling
Course title: Methods of Teaching Secondary School Mathematics
STAR Number: TBD
Semester: to be determined
Method of delivery: On-line over the Internet (WebCT will be used) see note below
Credit hours: 3 SH
Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor. (Call me (Dr. Jim Olsen) 309/298-2317 and or e-mail me (jr-olsen@wiu.edu) to get permission.)
Intended audience:  This course is intended for practicing mathematics teachers seeking professional development, CPDU credit, or new mathematics teaching methods.  It is also intended for individuals seeking a high school mathematics endorsement.
Textbook: Mathematics Methods and Modeling for Today's Mathematics Classroom: A Contemporary Approach to Teaching Grades 7-12, Dossey, McCrone, Giordano, Weir, Brooks/Cole, 2002, 0-534-36604-X.
Instructor: James Olsen. Information about JimJim Olsen's homepage
Instructor's Phone: 309/298-2317

Online Q & A - Answers to the following Questions: <<<click the link

What Do You Do in an Online Course?

Is There a Specific Class Meeting Time?

How Is this Different from an Independent Study?

Will I Have Contact With the Professor?

How does a typical weekly class discussion go?

Is this Easier than a Regular Face-to-face Class?

How Long Does the Class Run?

Am I Ready for an Online Course? (Assessing my ability to succeed online)

What are Some Keys to being Successful?

What Kind of Computer and Software Do I Need?

How Much Does it Cost?

What If I'm Out of Town for Spring Break for a Week or My Basketball Team Makes it to the State Tournament?

What If I Have Other Questions?


How to Apply, Register, Get the Book, and Gain On-Line Access <<<click the link

Note: that you need "permission of instructor" to enroll, so please e-mail me if you'd like to enroll in this course.

Special Note About this Page

This page is here to provide information about the course to prospective students.  This is not the actual course website. Once the course begins, those enrolled will be provided with a URL to a WebCT site (in a password protected environment).

High School Mathematics Endorsement

This is a three semester hour Teaching of Secondary School Mathematics course and may therefore be used by individuals seeking a secondary mathematics endorsement.
Your ECOM account is how you gain access to the materials for this course.
You need to know your username and password (do not forget these!).
You must activate an ECOM account before you can use it.  Click here to find out about your WIU ECOM username and password and activating your account (it's not hard). If you need assistance, call the University Computer Support Services Helpdesk at (309) 298-2704. (If you have one, your ECOM username is printed on your temporary WIU ID card and your initial password is the MONTH and DAY of birth (mmdd).)

Feel free to e-mail me if you are interested in this course (which helps us gage the amount of interest in the course) or have any questions.

This course was taught first online in Spring 2002. It has since been taught Spring 2003, Spring 2004, and Summer 2005. The course has been very popular and well-received.


Back to Jim Olsen's homepage
URL of this page: http://faculty.wiu.edu/JR-Olsen/wiu/tea/m503/basics.htm
(or the page can be accessed by http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjro1/wiu/tea/m503/basics.htm)
James R. Olsen, Western Illinois University
E-mail: jr-olsen@wiu.edu
updated: October 30, 2006