Abstract

Teaching mathematics by project-based learning (PBL) method on the use of educational technology offers an innovative teaching pedagogy at college. The “World Culture Art Created with Calculus Graphs of Equations” poster project was designed by the first author and was completed in the pilot Calculus course during the spring 2016 semester at Borough of Manhattan Community College in the City University of New York. This project was to guide students to use graphs of equations in the creation of recognizable national symbols from different countries with different cultures by the Maple technology. Students’ graphing knowledge as well as their technical Maple skills were applied in the completion of this project. Students’ creativity, freedom, and diversity in their mathematical thinking have been fostered. Students have learned that combining mathematics knowledge with technological skills can create innovation in art. The project increased students’ awareness and appreciation of multi-cultures for a diversified student body in New York. Successful project outcomes in students’ work shed light on effectiveness of this project-based learning (PBL) approach in mathematics education.

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