Clackamas Print
Arts Cult
Wednesday,' April 29, 2009
Math class offers new piece of p
Mark Foster
The Clackamas Print
In 2005, a group of students had run out of
classes to take at Clackamas. The college felt
they could offer more for these students, and a
plan Was put in place to create another math class
which would give them, and other students, an
opportunity to continue their mathematical edu
cational Clackamas, thus Math 299 was bom. It’s
not your average sit-listen-take notes math class
but a more interactive and student run class.
Hailing from Missouri, Mark Yannotta came
to Clackamas to teach this class. The class moves
on from general computation-based, calculus to
proof-based courses such as advanced calculus
and abstract algebra. Yannotta’s class is a prep
class, and it covers about two-thirds of what
would be covered in a 300 level math class at
a four-year university. The class covers a lot
of what is typically not covered in. a 200 level
class.
Depending on what Was accomplished .the
previous class, Yannotta either helps finish what
was not finished or poses anew task for students.
Keri Tegtmeier described the class as being,
“more student directed and flexible” when it
comes to finishing a task. Tegtmeier, who hopes
to become an engineer, said that Yannotta does
not push students but rather lets them figure it out
on their own.
Yannotta noted, “A lot of what goes on in
class happens on the fly.” >
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In the actual class, Yannotta asked his students
“What does it mean to have a Sudoku property?”
Each student sat quietly thinking over the answer
to the question on their own.
As the students worked meticulously, Yan
notta told them, “If you’re not upset, you’re not
learning.” Ibis is his interpretation of a quote
from psychologist Ernst von Glaserfeld. What
Yannota means by this is that students struggle
with the ideas presented and change their way of
thinking as opposed to just absorbing the mate
rial he has put forth.
As they begin to come together, Yannotta has
the person with the most number of elements in
their middle name answer first.
At the table furthest from the front, the group
decides that Charles Mitchell has the best an
swer, “Linear relations retain a strict pattern of
singularity using all options thusly.”
Every class Yannotta’s assistant, Amy Bran
denburg, is lhere to film the class. Brandonburg,
currently a math major at Portland State, is no
stranger to this class. She previously filmed the
class once before and has also taken it and helped
co-teachit at PSU.
The class is partnered with PSU through a
federal grant offered by the National Science
Foundation. All the film and data materials gath
ered during class, are eventually sent off to uni
versities across the nation.
In the short history of Math 299, there have
been only four female students. In the current
class, there are five female students out of the
nine enrolled. Rosanna Cole and Tegtmeier both
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agreed that good recruiting helped to bring in
the female students. Cole has taken classes with
Yannotta before and was drawn in by his enthu
siasm for the class.
Cole likes that in this class there are no real
right answers. Theory plays a large role and stu
dents are encouraged to delve into what these
theories really mean.
Yannotta said, “By taking Math 299, stu
dents get an opportunity to discuss proof within
the context of a mathematical area they
later.”
The course sheds light upon subject
many will never study, and it seems as
he has found a way to connect with stud
make material understandable.
“One becomes a mathematician
because of what they learn, but also be
what they do,” said Yannotta.
micneue newuy moodi
As opposed to having individual seats, this class seats students at group tables:
can work together. Here students are seen socializing as they wait for class to:
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