Mathematical Explorations - Student Reflections - Spring 1997

Midterm Journals

"The lack of tests and homework in this class is a refreshing change. I am used to studying page after page of formulas and tables in math class. But this class is different and I like it. When math is shoved down my throat I cannot learn. The "pressure thing" again. I learn better when I can see the process step by step."

"For a guy who is reluctant to give math a chance I must admit that classes like Mathematical Explorations help broaden the minds of students like myself."

"This course is very different from any other math course that I've ever taken. It has a lot more character."

"This math class, much to my surprise is very different. My views and hopes are slowly changing about math. I now feel a little more confident in my abilities."

"The Math in this class is something I've never experienced in any other Math class. Most of my Math classes were always problems with numbers that a calculator could figure out. There were never problems that involved much thinking."

"This class reminds me somewhat of my high school math classes. In high school I never understood what the teacher was talking about. So during class I would look at the lesson in the book and teach myself. I didn't mind doing this. That's when I liked math. In college I've taken to classes and had trouble with them. All they did was lecture. This class brings me back to the ways when I liked math."

"As I have finished the chapter I look back and see that the times when I enjoyed the class the most was when we had projects to do that was more than just doing problems and writing out the results. I know that you're always looking for suggestions for improving the class, so maybe you should consider having more hands-on sorts of projects for us to work on."

"I really like the way this class is set up this semester. I like working things out with people at my table. We work well together which helps. I do wish that Prof. Fleron would teach a little bit more, but then again, I don't know what he could because its all in the book. I do like it when he'd read things as passages from books, articles, etc."

Endterm Journals

"The first thing I noticed as I walked into room were the benches. Already I was put at ease because the traditional '5th grade' desks were not there. Then when we were handed the survey and I was some of the questions regarding our feelings about math, I was excited because I knew we were having a teacher who cared as much about our feelings as he cared about numbers and equations."

"Thank you for this wonderful class and experience."

"Math can be fun and exciting if you teach students to "understand" something rather than just memorizing it."

"These ideas of math are part of everyday life, but society doesn't take in the true meaning and significance of math."

"When I first heard you say that math "was beautiful" I though you were a little strange. However, now after experiencing what math can really do mentally and physically, I can say that math is beautiful when you are taught right."

"Hopefully I'll be able to tell my children how fun and interesting this class was and more importantly how much I learned about what mathematics really is."

"My attitude toward math hasn't changed that much except for the fact that know I can appreciate how some people, like yourself can have such a passion for mathematics."

"I guess I have an appreciation towards mathematics. I understand people devote their lives to finding the contrasting rule to a law or formula and I think that's cool."

"Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the class, and I dislike math a little less because now I see it can be interesting."

"I realized that math is much more than what we have been exposed to in elementary school, junior high, and high school. I've realized that there is a lot of intellectual thinking involved, it is not just right and wrong numerical answers. I never really could understand how people believed that mathematics was an art but now I see how reaching an unsolved conclusion could give such a great feeling of accomplishment."

"Your unique way method of teaching and class formation made it an interesting class to attend. The time went by fast and the work was interesting."

"The topics we covered were cool, for once I enjoyed doing the work because it was interesting. I have trouble doing things I'm not interested in."

"Getting a grasp on learning concepts as opposed to arithmetic all the time, was definitely a bonus this semester. This class probably made me think more about concepts than my Theories of Justice class."

"Thank you for showing us another side of math. And although I don't totally share your view that 'math is beautiful', I know now that it is really not so bad if you just work with it."

"This class was an overall good experience mostly because you made it good through your curiculum and passion for the subject. Thanks for the knowledge and opportunity."

"When I first came to this class I anticipated the worst. I was sure this class was going to be like every other class: I would probably just pass with the help of a patient tutor. However, this class wasn't like that at all, in fact it made me realize that I am not as bad in Math as I thought I was. I was allowed to ask as many questions as I needed to understand the ideas involved. I actually began to enjoy the subject that I had for so long despised. I began to see and understand why math was so important."

"For once in my life I think that mathematics doesn't have to be awful."

"I was happy to come to class every day and that says something about the course."

"I used to consider math was just a number course and nothing else. Now I see it as an art and a class to be creative in."

"I think the class was really set up for encouraging learning."

"If ever in the future I meet a mathematician I won't say something corny like I can't balance my checkbook."

"This course showed me a different view of math. it worked with objects and figures rather than numbers. I thought in logic rather than in numbers."

"...it will help me make math fun for my children. I can also see how a person can love math and I respect that."

"By making the course available to students, we are given a chance to broaden our mathematical horizons. Much of the material involves creative thinking and common sense, so the average non mathematically is given a shot at math success, thus building confidence for future mathematical endeavors. My past mathematical experience, I'm sorry to say, is nothing short of horrid."

"I wish I could write you that I wanted to become a math major now, but that isn't the truth. This class was definitely better than trigonometry or calculas that I took in high school. Meaning more fun. I learned things that I might actually use in life sometime. But I don't thin it was easier... You know what I mean? Math has always been hard for me, I've had to put in more effort than anyone just to get by."