Math research taps student creativity

Tue, July 24, 2007 |

Children could receive better mathematics tutoring through the efforts of Valparaiso University sophomore Adam Schull of Macomb, Mich., one of several students participating in a National Science Foundation-funded research program on campus this summer.

The Valparaiso Experience for Research by Undergraduates in Mathematics (VERUM), now in its third year, is funded by a $175,000 NSF grant. Nine students from Valpo and other institutions are working with Valparaiso faculty on leading topics in mathematics research, getting an opportunity to both advance their skills and receive an introduction to graduate-level mathematics research.

Shull, a mathematics and computer science major, is working with Dr. Michael Glass, an assistant professor of mathematics and computer science, on a project to develop software that can understand the intentions behind student statements during the course of a mathematics tutoring conversation. That software would make it easier to understand what problems an individual student is facing with a particular problem and how to best assist that student.

The summer research has given Shull a chance to combine and apply his previous studies.

“The biggest draw was that the project is related to both of my majors, and I’ve been able to do quite a bit of computer programming in developing the mathematics tutoring program,” Shull said. “It was a good way for me to gain research experience, and to learn about and discover new ideas.”

As part of his research, Shull said he’s learned much about what tutoring techniques are the most effective – a skill that will help in his volunteer work as a tutor at the Boys and Girls Club and could eventually lead to more effective tutoring for children everywhere.

“This project was appealing because it has a clear and important real-world application: making a computer program to assist with tutoring,” he said.

In addition to conducting original research with Valparaiso faculty, the student researchers listen to guest lectures, prepare research papers detailing their findings and present their research at a conference with other undergraduate researchers in the Midwest.

“VERUM is a well-rounded opportunity in which students experience mathematical research, rather than the mathematical classroom,” said Dr. Rick Gillman, chair of Valpo's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. “It helps them to understand mathematics as a creative process.”

One of the goals of the NSF is to entice more mathematics students to pursue graduate studies, and Jared Erickson, a senior mathematics and actuarial science major from Eagan, Minn., plans to do just that.

“The research experience has allowed me to go more in depth in one particular area,” Erickson said. “I will probably go to graduate school where there is a lot of research involved, so this experience is helpful in understanding what to expect and how to go about the research process.”

In addition to Dr. Glass’ project, other Valparaiso faculty leading research teams are:

• Dr. Ken Luther, associate professor of mathematics and computer, is leading a group investigating numerical models involving the flow of groundwater to a well in a stratified aquifer and the interaction between a horizontal well and a surface water body; and

• Dr. Gillman is leading a project defining new arithmetic functions on the mosaic of n and their properties.

Valpo’s mathematics research program is one of 45 NSF-funded programs at universities throughout the country. The nine-week program began May 31 and will conclude Aug. 1. More information about VERUM is available online.