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Teaching Mathematics and its Applications Advance Access originally published online on December 3, 2007
Teaching Mathematics and its Applications 2008 27(1):38-47; doi:10.1093/teamat/hrm019
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© The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Complex variables in junior high school: the role and potential impact of an outreach mathematician

Billy J. Duke, Jerry F. Dwyer, Jennifer Wilhelm and Barbara Moskal

Address for correspondence: Billy J. Duke, Community College of Southern Nevada. Jerry F. Dwyer, Texas Tech University. E-mail: jerry.dwyer{at}ttu.edu Jennifer Wilhelm, Texas Tech University. E-mail: jerry.dwyer{at}ttu.edu Barbara Moskal, Colorado School of Mines.

Submitted March 2007; accepted October 2007

Outreach mathematicians are college faculty who are trained in mathematics but who undertake an active role in improving primary and secondary education. This role is examined through a study where an outreach mathematician introduced the concept of complex variables to junior high school students in the United States with the goal of stimulating their interest in mathematics and improving their algebra skills. Comparison of pre- and post-test results showed that ninth-grade students displayed a significant change in algebraic skills while the eighth-grade students made little progress. The outreach mathematician lacked some awareness of the eighth-grade students’ foundational background and motivation. This illustrates the importance of working more closely with the participating teacher, who understands better the curriculum and the students’ background knowledge, levels of maturity and levels of motivation.

Billy Duke obtained his MS degree from Texas Tech University in 2005 and is now a faculty member at the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Jerry Dwyer is an assistant professor of mathematics at Texas Tech University. He has a background in applied mathematics and current interests include teacher preparation and enrichment activities in secondary school classrooms.

Jennifer Wilhelm is an assistant professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Tech University. Her primary research interest involves the design of inquiry-based, project-enhanced, interdisciplinary learning environments.

Barb Moskal is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences at the Colorado School of Mines. She is primarily interested in assessment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.


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