The Teaching and Learning of Tertiary Algebra
David H Carlson · Kluwer Academic Publishers eBooks · 2006
This chapter reports on some current educational issues related to the teaching and learning of tertiary algebra—in particular, abstract algebra, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, and number theory. The causes of conceptual difficulties experienced by many students are identified and possible ways of overcoming them, sometimes using a specific pedagogical framework, are discussed. Issues related to students’ motivation are explored and pedagogical possibilities for overcoming some of the problems in both these areas are also explored. This report also addresses issues associated with the dissemination of educational work to tertiary instructors who are typically mathematicians rather than mathematics educators. Furthermore, the role of computers in tertiary algebra courses is considered, focusing on the use of Computer Algebra Systems (at the tertiary level) and the use of the programming language ISETL that helps students construct and work with algebraic objects. This chapter makes recommendations for improving practices for teaching tertiary algebra and proposes areas for further research.