Texas Instrument T3 Workshops at Texarkana College May, 1999

Texarkana College hosted three Texas Instruments Teachers Teaching with Technology (T3) Programs
during April and May1999:
Mathematics Teacher Educator (MTE)
Mathematically Modeling Science(M2S)
and SCIENCE

Teachers Teaching with Technology T3

Acondensed 2 1/2 day version of the week long Mathematically Modeling Science (M2S) course was presented by Dr. Pat Shields of Capital University May 24-26. The target audience for this course included college and high school math and science instructors. Mathematical and scientific understanding was developed within the context of data analysis and modeling activities. The course emphasized the use of the CBL and CBR as data collection tools and the TI-83-Plus graphing calculator as a modeling tool. The mathematical content of the course included: basic graphical analysis; simultaneous equations; inverse functions; integration; linear, piecewise linear, polynomial, sinusoidal, and exponential curve fitting; parametric equations; asymptotic models; and modeling with differential equations. The technical content of the course included the use of the CBL and CBR; use of TI-Graph Link; programming for the CBL; and the availability of Internet resources.

*Dr. Shields describes the calculator interface*	*The TI- CBR was used to gather data sets...*	*the CBR motion detector measures Prof. Jones every move...*
*Craig Fisher and Kim Beecham gather pressure data with a Vernier Bio-gas probe.*	*Antacid tablets in water can generate a surprising amout of pressure, hold that stopper tight!*

The SCIENCE short course was a reduced 2 1/2 day version of the week long professional development course for college science and math teachers. Dr. C.W. Eaker of the University of Dallas led our enthusiastic group of 17 participants. The focus of the short course was to explore science concepts using the TI-83-Plus graphing calculator and the Calculator Based Laboratory (CBL) system. Activities allowed participating college and high school teachers to explore new and innovative ways of teaching traditional science concepts and an emphasis was placed on new methods of data collection and analysis.
By using a hands-on approach, the participants learned how to effectively integrate the calculator and the CBL system into their courses. Our workshop participants gained understanding, confidence, and enthusiasm for using the calculator in and out of the classroom. It was quite evident to all of our participants how this portable, low-cost technology can provide an effective way to integrate mathematics and science while getting students more involved in their own learning.

Dr. Eaker, University of Dallas, did an excellent job in leading the workshop by modeling the activities for us...

Area educators participate in the Science modeling activities.
We had a lot of fun!...

*The TI- calculator screen was projected on overhead to assist participants in entering the proper keystrokes*	*Many of us were novices at working with this technology but we quickly gained confidence as we worked through the exercises...*	*Art Simenson, TAMU-T and Charles Reed, Bossier Parish Community College, compare data...*
*Jamie Ashby, TC, and Rita Martin, Red Lick ISD, work through a series of calculations...*	*David and Suzanne Allard analyze their dissolved oxygen data...*	*Keith Campbell and Mark Storey, TC, work on a titration curve...*

The overall response from the workshop participants was very encouraging.
Typical comments from participants included:

..."wow, this is really a lot easier to do than I expected."
..."this is something that I really think would help me get my students more involved in learning the main concepts..."
... "I can't wait to get started with this type of teaching technology!"