Capstone Course
You are expected to take the capstone course during your last semester in the program. Before enrolling in the capstone course, you must complete the calculus B and differential equations (Math E-16) requirement, or at least demonstrate your readiness for Math E-16 by receiving a grade of B in Math E-15 and meeting with the program director.
Offered each spring term, the semester-long capstone course, MATH E-599 Teaching Projects: Math for Teaching Capstone Course, comprises 3 modules that emphasize topics relevant to middle and high school math teachers.
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In the first part of the course you research a current topic in mathematics education through use of journal articles, giving presentations of your findings to the math for teaching community.
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In the next module you lead an Alternative Math Teaching Experiment in which you develop and teach a lesson on a nonstandard middle or high school course topic (such as non-Euclidean geometry, game theory, or nonstandard analysis using hyperreals). Designs are sent to reviewers for feedback. You have the opportunity to videotape yourself teaching 1 class of your material during teaching practice sessions with local middle school, high school, or Harvard students.
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In the final module, you apply the knowledge you have gained in the program to investigate how a particular technology can be used to support a classroom math lesson.
Past capstone and research projects
- Effective use of Technology in Mathematics Classrooms
- Root Causes of Algebra Misconceptions
- Impact of Stereotype Threats in Mathematics Education
- Multilingualism and Multicultural Mathematics Classrooms
- An Investigation of Probability Using the Personal Response System (“Clickers”)
- A Unit on Factoring Algebraic Expressions Using Mathematica Notebooks
- An Exploration of Polygon Construction Using Geometer’s Sketchpad