How to Succeed in College Mathematics: A Comprehensive Study and Reference Book for Students and Instructors - Softcover

Dahlke, Richard M., Ph.D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0983397007 ISBN 13: 9780983397007

Publisher: Bergway Pub, 2011

Synopsis

How to Succeed in College Mathematics, Second Edition (A Comprehensive Study and Reference Book for Students and Instructors), is a unique and valuable study and refrence book. The book is addressed to students, but is just as valuable for instructors since learning and teaching are two sides of a coin.

There is no book in existence today that addresses so comprehensively, authoritatively, and authentically the issues students face in college mathematics. The ideas in this study and reference book, grounded in research and experience, could keep students from receiving an undesirable grade, dropping a course, changing an area of concentration, or dropping out of college. This book will help students realize fully the mathematics potential that lies within them. It can generally be described as a book on learning how to learn.

There are many gems of wisdom for the struggling to the strong mathematics student, including mathematics concentrators. Success in mathematics is described as more than receiving a good course grade. Students learn what their deficiencies are and how to overcome them.

Students find out how to: improve as problem solvers, manage assignments, determine if they have course prerequisites, write mathematics, work with symbolic form, read their textbooks, get the most out of class, make the most of their learning styles, learn online, work with classmates, select and work with instructors, determine whether to drop a course, retake a course, decrease procrastination and anxiety, increase confidence and motivation, prepare for and take examinations, and manage their responsibilities.

The primary organization of the book is this: A key topic is presented in a thorough way, and referenced again when related topics are presented. This spiraling reinforces knowledge of the topic. There is an extensive table of contents and index; thus, it is easy to find what is needed at the time. Chapters stand alone; hence, students can begin to read at virtually any place in the book, and move back and forth to chapters or sections of interest to them.

Support for the relevance of the learning and study issues discussed includes: remarks from successful college mathematics students on what worked for them in their college mathematics courses, and from unsuccessful college mathematics students on what did not work for them; statements by college mathematics students which came from their free responses to questions on forms used to evaluate their instructors and courses; suggestions from experienced college mathematics instructors on issues they believe need to be addressed; findings of educational research; position papers of the American Mathematical Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; and the formal academic training, scholarship, and extensive college teaching experience of the author in mathematics and mathematics education.

An Assignment Manual, comprised of exercises on the content of the Second Edition, is available. The book and manual are purchased separately since some students and instructors may only want to use the book as a reference; hence, having the option of purchasing the assignment manual. Exercises are most valuable when feedback is provided through participation in a course, seminar, workshop, or any other discussion group.

This resource is valuable for (1) college mathematics students, (2) college-prep high students, (3) college and high school mathematics instructors (preservice and inservice), and (4) college and high school counselors and other academic support personnel.

About this title

About the Author

Professor Richard M. Dahlke has an extensive formal academic background in mathematics and mathematics education. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in mathematics, and a teaching certificate in secondary school mathematics. He holds a Master of Arts degree in teaching mathematics from California State University, San Diego, and a Master of Science degree in mathematics and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in mathematics education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He taught high school mathematics in Wisconsin for three years and college mathematics for the next thirty-six years. His first two years of college teaching were at the State University of New York, College at Buffalo.

As a college professor of mathematics for thirty-four years at the University of Michigan, Dearborn, he taught all the courses in the calculus track lower-division mathematics program to students pursuing degrees in mathematics, engineering, natural sciences and business. At the upper-division level he taught linear algebra, abstract algebra, geometry from an advanced viewpoint, and specialized courses for students pursuing a major or minor in elementary school mathematics. He taught courses in problem solving in mathematics, and techniques of teaching secondary school mathematics.

His professional accomplishments are many. He has been an active conference presenter and workshop leader at local, state, and national conferences. He served two terms as chair of the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Teacher Preparation Committee, and served for many years as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics representative to MCTM and the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics. His writings and research have focused on issues associated with the learning and teaching of mathematics at all levels of education. He has published widely in academic journals on a variety of mathematics and mathematics education subjects.

Professor Dahlke is a strong advocate for college students, including their right to receive quality mathematics instruction. He believes that learning is a partnership among the student, the student s classmates, and the instructor, and that students efforts to organize and manage their time is critical to success in college. He further believes that students should enjoy college. In order for that to happen students shouldn t get stressed out or too alarmed when things do not go well. They need to focus their energies on making necessary changes that will improve their college experience and lessen stress and anxiety. The end result will be successful college students with contented spirits.

Review

At first glance I was skeptical of the length of this book (and the duplication in the subtitle); but it is chock full of clear exposition of excellent advice, with careful sectioning and bolding of important points, and it would be hard to point to anything to omit. Much of the advice applies to college in general, but much is specific to mathematics, including how courses are sequenced, how to get credit by examination, and how to obtain assistance. Author Dahlke explains the benefits of learning mathematics and what it means to think mathematically, as well as how to read, write, discuss, listen to, and work problems in mathematics. Rationales accompany the advice and this renders it more credible. Dahlke makes it clear how and why college differs from high school. I have two sons approaching college; I ll be giving them this book. --Mathematics Magazine (Journal of the Mathematics Association of America)

Richard Dahlke brings to this rather prolix book thirty-four years of teaching lower-division courses at the University of Michigan in Dearborn. Its 600 pages cover a range of topics that include both useful information and sound advice to help students get the most out of their university experience: the college environment, organization of courses and programs, prerequisites, admission and internal examinations, time management and study skills, confidence building, the nature of mathematics, reading mathematics texts, working exercises and solving problems, balance of responsibilities of teacher and student. Although written for an American audience, a Canadian student will find much that is useful. However, its length means that it cannot be read from cover to cover. It is intended to be a resource book, and chapters and sections of chapters stand alone. Despite this, the author views almost everything in the life of a college student as related, so that actions in one direction can affect other areas. The table of contents and index make the book convenient to navigate.

This comprehensive and practical book is a worthwhile purchase for any student embarking on a university career who wants to get a leg up on what to expect and how to manage the experience. It can also find a place on the bookshelves of advisors, undergraduate reading rooms and libraries. --CMS Notes(Newsletter of the Canadian Mathematical Society (by Ed Barbeau, Ph.D., University of Toronto, Ontario)

Many liberal arts students fear the dreaded subject known as mathematics. How to Succeed in College Mathematics: A Guide for the College Mathematics Student is a thoroughly user friendly , practical, and effective guide for those students wanting to master this harrowing and difficult subject with academic success. With advice about absorbing all the knowledge one can in these classes, fighting off anxiety, and just plain dealing better with math classes, it s a complete and comprehensive guide that is ideal for the non-specialist general reader wanting to improve his or her ability and understanding of mathematics. But most of all, How to Succeed in College Mathematics is especially recommended to anyone engaged in or planning on enrolling in a college level math course. --Midwest Book Review, Oregon, Wisconsin

Richard Dahlke brings to this rather prolix book thirty-four years of teaching lower-division courses at the University of Michigan in Dearborn. Its 600 pages cover a range of topics that include both useful information and sound advice to help students get the most out of their university experience: the college environment, organization of courses and programs, prerequisites, admission and internal examinations, time management and study skills, confidence building, the nature of mathematics, reading mathematics texts, working exercises and solving problems, balance of responsibilities of teacher and student. Although written for an American audience, a Canadian student will find much that is useful. However, its length means that it cannot be read from cover to cover. It is intended to be a resource book, and chapters and sections of chapters stand alone. Despite this, the author views almost everything in the life of a college student as related, so that actions in one direction can affect other areas. The table of contents and index make the book convenient to navigate.

This comprehensive and practical book is a worthwhile purchase for any student embarking on a university career who wants to get a leg up on what to expect and how to manage the experience. It can also find a place on the bookshelves of advisors, undergraduate reading rooms and libraries. --CMS Notes(Newsletter of the Canadian Mathematical Society (by Ed Barbeau, Ph.D., University of Toronto, Ontario)

Many liberal arts students fear the dreaded subject known as mathematics. How to Succeed in College Mathematics: A Guide for the College Mathematics Student is a thoroughly user friendly , practical, and effective guide for those students wanting to master this harrowing and difficult subject with academic success. With advice about absorbing all the knowledge one can in these classes, fighting off anxiety, and just plain dealing better with math classes, it s a complete and comprehensive guide that is ideal for the non-specialist general reader wanting to improve his or her ability and understanding of mathematics. But most of all, How to Succeed in College Mathematics is especially recommended to anyone engaged in or planning on enrolling in a college level math course. --Midwest Book Review, Oregon, Wisconsin

Edition details

• Publisher: Bergway Pub
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0983397007
• ISBN 13: 9780983397007
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 674