Jennifer M. Wenner|Eric M.D. Baer|Cathryn A. Manduca|R. Heather Macdonald|Samuel White Patterson|Mary Savina
The Case for Infusing Quantitative Literacy into Introductory Geoscience Courses
present case introductory geoscience courses model venues increasing quantitative literacy ql large numbers collegeeducated population geosciences provide meaningful context number fundamental mathematical concepts revisited several times single course using best practices mathematics education community surrounding problem solving calculus reform precollege mathematics five geosciencemath workshops geoscience mathematics faculty identified five pedagogical ideas increase ql students populate introductory geoscience courses five ideas include techniques place mathematical concepts context use multiple representations use technology appropriately work groups multipleday indepth problems place quantitative skills multiple contexts discuss pedagogical underpinnings five ideas illustrate ways geosciences represent ideal places use techniques however inclusion ql introductory courses often met resistance levels faculty wish include quantitative content must use creative means break barriers public perception geoscience qualitative administrative worry enrollments drop faculty resistance change novel ways infuse ql geoscience classrooms include use webbased resources shadow courses setting clear expectations promoting quantitative geoscience general public order help faculty increase ql geoscience students communitybuilt facultycentered web resource teaching quantitative skills geosciences houses multiple examples implement five best practices ql throughout geoscience curriculum direct faculty three portions web resource teaching quantitative literacy ql activities 2006 workshop website infusing quantitative literacy introductory geoscience courses portions website designed give geoscience faculty resources need infuse quantitative content entrylevel courses thereby building ql students enroll infusion ql introductory geoscience classroom allows faculty realistically represent quantitative nature science students may need ultimately inclusion pedagogically sound quantitative activities exercises serve increase ql educated citizenry