DMC Newsletter May 2006
The Developmental Mathematics Committee of
AMATYC!
The DMC Newsletter is not published on a regular schedule … which means you should not worry that you have not seen one since December or January. My goal is to provide helpful information and build networks, so a Newsletter is sent when “the time is right”.
We have had 4 people join the committee since the last newsletter – using the membership form on the Committee web page.
Announcing a “New” Name for our Committee: Back to “DMC”
Prior to the first AMATYC Standards (“Crossroads”), this committee was known as the “Developmental Mathematics Committee” (DMC). The Crossroads document used the label “Foundation” for these courses and issues, so our name was expanded to “Foundation/Developmental Mathematics Committee” (F/DMC).
Well, the label “Foundation” did not become commonly used, and the revised standards (“Beyond Crossroads”) uses the label “Developmental” instead. Therefore, the AMATYC Executive Board recently approved our motion to change our committee name back to “Developmental Mathematics Committee” (DMC). Our committee web page, documents, and future AMATYC references will use the new name; of course, there are lots of documents and references to fix … so don’t be alarmed if you see both names for a while (a year or two).
DMC Web Site http://devmath.amatyc.org
Our web site is our central location for activities and information about DMC work. The site has been updated over the last few months to include some online references, as well as the “Syllabus Project” (see below). If you have suggestions for other items to put on the web site, just let me know.
The Syllabus Project
We have a process in place to post sample course syllabi online. This project seeks to post a broad variety of syllabi – without any pre-judgment on the “worthiness” of the information. The focus is on building networks and sharing, so anybody can submit their course syllabus. The DMC website has complete directions http://devmath.amatyc.org, including the email address to send the information and syllabus to.
[The syllabus project is being coordinated by Geoffrey Akst; thanks, Geoffrey!]
Traveling Workshop
The
We will have two meetings at the 2006 conference, so look for those when you get the schedule later this summer. These meetings are critical to our work, and I will need your help. These are the types of topics we will address this November:
Should we establish a “Developmental Mathematics Traveling Workshop” program?
This would be part of AMATYC’s workshop system, with our expertise.
What can we do to help with the training needs of “all those adjuncts” teaching developmental mathematics?
We know there is a need for training with most new faculty, and many continuing adjuncts as well. What could the DMC do to help, besides a traveling workshop?
Are there other needs in our field? (Like resources, position statements, etc.)
Of course, we will focus on the invaluable networking aspects as well. If you are able to come to the AMATYC conference, please come to one or both of our meetings!!
DMC Membership Form
If you know of anybody who might be interested in joining our committee (and if they belong to AMATYC), they can go to our web page to complete a membership form: Link to Online DMC Membership Form
Current and Old
Newsletters
I will be putting all current, future, and some ‘old’ newsletters on our web site.
Future Newsletters
The chair (
The next F/DMC newsletter is likely to be sent during August 2006; submissions are welcome!!
Official Leadership of the Foundation/Developmental Mathematics Committee of AMATYC: