Enriching Mathematics Education - a workshop for mathematics teachers in schools.
	
Venue: Ramanujan Auditorium,  IMSc,  Chennai.

Monday 30 September 2013

0830 -- 0915 	Registration

0915 -- 0920	Inauguration,  opening remarks.
	        P Sankaran, Workshop convener.

0920 -- 1020	K. N. Raghavan (IMSc): Partial Fractions.
		
		Abstract: Partial fractions are typically introduced in Class XII as a method of integration. The integration 
		of rational functions in one variable reduces, by the division algorithm,  to that of proper fractions,  which 
		are then handled by expressing them as partial fractions.   We will take a critical look at this material,  
		examining the underlying assumptions made explicitly or otherwise,  learning just a little bit of the theory 
		behind the method, trying methods of solution other than those normally suggested,  and exploring what happens 
		when we relax the assumptions.


1020 -- 1050 	Coffee break.


1050 -- 1100	Brief remarks by R. Balasubramanian, Director, IMSc.

	
1100 -- 1200	Jonaki Ghosh (Lady Shriram College): Developing student thinking in calculus.

		Abstract: Teaching of calculus at the senior secondary level is fraught with evaluating limits, derivatives,
		complicated integrals and on applying the derivative tests. Most often pupils do not understand the fundamental
		concepts of limit or derivatives. Technology provides us with many opportunities to help students visualize these
		important concepts. The multi-representational approach is an affordance of a technology enabled environment where
		the pupil can explore concepts, geometrically, numerically, analytically and symbolically. This session will focus
		on dealing with the concepts of limits, derivatives, local linearity, indefinite integrals as well as the fundamental
		theorem of calculus through the use of technology. The presentation will also illustrate some instances of the use of 
		technology by students to explore some applications of calculus. 	


1200 -- 1300	Parameswaran Sankaran (IMSc): Coordinate geometry.
		
		Abstract: We shall review two- and three-dimensional coordinate geometry. We shall also develop vector equations 
		for straight-lines, planes and spheres. We shall discuss the role of visualization in geometry and how to help
		students develop the same.


1300 -- 1415	Lunch


1415 -- 1515	S. Kesavan (IMSc): Conic sections and the general equation of the second degree.

		Abstract: I will study the various cases occuring in the general equation of the 
		second degree and point out the use of matrices and eigenvalues and eigenvectors in 
		tracing the conics given the equation.


1515 -- 1545	Coffee break.


1545 -- 1645	Jonaki Ghosh and R. Ramanujam: Interactive session.


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Tuesday October 1 2013


0930 -- 1030	Vijay Kodiyalam (IMSc): Permutations and combinations.

		Abstract:  I will review basic permutations and combinations and emphasize the role of bijective proofs in 
		combinatorics and in combinatorial identities involving the binomial coefficients.


1030 -- 1100 	Coffee break.

	
1100 -- 1200    G. P. Youvaraj (Ramanujan Institute): Curve sketching using calculus.

		Abstract: The graph of a function is very useful in understanding the characteristics of the function. So it 
		is important to obtain the accurate graph of a function. Just plotting many points and joining them will not
		necessarily depict all the properties of the given function. We shall use calculus to identify the important 
		features of the function, and use this information to sketch an accurate graph of the given function. This skill
		is a very important one for anyone who is interested in mathematics.


1200 -- 1300	R. Ramanujam (IMSc): A discussion on problem solving.

     		Abstract: While problem solving is at the heart of the mathematical experience, for most students coming out of 
		school this experience is very limited. We are not talking of problem solving in preparation for board exams, 
		"entrance" exams or the olympiads, but of no-stakes open-ended exploration. How could school students be given a taste of
		analytical investigations ? We discuss this question with some examples of problem solving.


1300 -- 1415	Lunch


1415 -- 1515	D. Surya Ramana (HRI): Geometric Progressions to Partitions
		
		Abstract: Starting from the expression for the sum of a geometric series with finite number of terms, we will
		consider the infinite case and then introduce the role of infinite geometric series as generating series for 
		partitions of natural numbers into sums of smaller natural numbers.


1515 -- 1615	Feedback session.


1615 		High tea.

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