A project of the University’s Mathematics Department, titled “Discovering the Art of Mathematics,” is featured as part of the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences “Innovative Approaches to Teaching.”
For more visit https://as.cornell.edu/education-innovation . Westfield State’s project is included under “Faculty Innovations in Teaching”
At Cornell University, Math 1300: Math Explorations is taught in alternate years by Steven Strogatz, Jacob Gould Schurman Professor of Applied Mathematics, and Tim Riley, associate professor of mathematics. It is based on an engaged learning approach called inquiry-based learning, developed at Westfield State nearly 10 years ago.
The professors pose questions, problems or scenarios, rather than simply presenting established facts, and encourage students to work things out on their own. Riley notes that although it can be frustrating for students when the professors answer questions with “What do you think?” it spurs deeper learning.