[Maths-Education] seminar/workshop all invited

[John Monaghan]

Dear all,

Peter Flynn from the University of Melbourne will give a seminar/workshop
on 'Facing the Challenges of Computer Algebra System Permitted Examination
Assessment' in Leeds on Thursday, 4th July, 2002. Further details of the
seminar/workshop and of Peter are provided at the end of this message.
Basically Peter is one of the most informed people around on issues of
computer algebra system (CAS) use in high school examinations.

VENUE
Centre for Studies in Science and Mathematics Education
EC Stoner building, room 8.90
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

TIME		4.00 - 6.00pm

If you plan to attend can you please contact John Monaghan
(J.D.Monaghan@education.leeds.ac.uk) as he will arrange refreshments and,
if you are arriving by car, he will pass your name to Security so that you
gain free access to the car park. Please let John know whether you would
like to go for a meal with Peter after the seminar/workshop.

Details of how to get to the University of Leeds and the EC Stoner building
are available on http://www.leeds.ac.uk/campus_map/campus.htm
NB give yourself 5 minutes 'getting lost' time between arriving at the EC
Stoner building and locating room 8.90 (it is very near stairwell 5).

****************************************
Facing the Challenges of CAS-Permitted Examination Assessment
Peter Flynn, The University of Melbourne, Australia

In the Australian state of Victoria, a CAS-permitted calculus, functions
and probability subject with accompanying external CAS-permitted
examinations is being piloted currently. Allowing CAS calculators with
numerical, graphical and symbolic capabilities into external examinations
has significant ramifications for the appropriate testing of mathematical
knowledge.
In this seminar, some general principles for the construction of suitable
CAS-permitted examination questions will be outlined in addition to
allowing participants to work through a collection of sample examination
questions using a TI-92 CAS calculator. There will be an opportunity to
discuss some of the important administrative and pedagogical issues of
CAS-permitted examination assessment highlighted by these examples
including the influence of symbolic capabilities on changing the value of
aspects of mathematical knowledge held strongly in traditional by-hand
mathematics courses.

Peter Flynn is currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Melbourne,
Australia. He is part of the University's Computer Algebra
System-Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching (CAS-CAT) Project which is
investigating how mathematics can be assessed with CAS in upper-secondary
external examinations. Prior to taking up this position in late 2000, Peter
taught in Victorian secondary schools for ten years and experienced the
introduction of graphics calculators into the Victorian curriculum and
assessment structures.