Student Surveys
Instrument 3: Abstract Mathematical Theory Questionnaire
Project: Statistical Application for the Mathematics Curriculum
Mount Holyoke College
Funding Source: NSF - Undergraduate Education ( DUE)
Purpose: To help instructor think about and understand students’ previous experiences with application of abstract mathematical theory
Administered To: Students in statistics course
Topics Covered:
- Attitudes & Beliefs (Student): content, method, knowledge, understanding, practical value, engagement, anxiety
- Instructional Practices: methods, instructional approach, pedagogy, content
- Instructional Preference: methods, content
- Lesson/Curriculum Plan: practical value, engagement, methods, content
- Perceptions (Student): content difficulty, ease of use
Format/Length: 14 open- and closed-ended questions
Stat 344 Questionnaire |
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| The purpose of this questionnaire is to help me
think about and understand how you have experienced applications
and abstract mathematical theory in your courses. |
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| 1. |
List one or two courses you have taken that involved applications of math:
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| 2. |
Did you like having applications in the course(s)? Why/ why not?
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| 3. |
Briefly describe an instance of an applied problem from one of your
courses.
(A sentence or two is enough.)
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| 4. |
Does it matter to you whether a course uses made-up
examples or real applications? Why/ why not?
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| 5. |
Consider two approaches to applications in a math course:
(a) Brief -- the bare minimum you need to see how the example
illustrates the mathematical theory, or (b) full -- enough detail to
be able to understand the application as a challenge in its own right.
If you have a choice, which approach do you prefer, and why?
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| 6. |
When you think of applications of math, which of these adjectives
do you consider appropriate? (Circle all that apply)
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easy |
important for society |
frustrating |
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hard |
important for getting a job |
peripheral |
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mechanical |
important for your understanding |
creative |
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challenging |
trivial |
understandable |
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mundane |
interesting |
confusing |
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Other words that come to mind: |
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| 7. |
List one or two courses you have taken that
have been most concerned with abstract mathematical theory:
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| 8. |
Do you like abstract mathematics? Why/ why not?
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| 9. |
Briefly describe a typical instance of an abstract theoretical
concept or result from one of your courses. (It's enough just to name the
concept or state the result.)
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| 10. |
What is it about math courses that you find most
engaging/interesting/compelling?
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| 11. |
Based on your own experience, what do you consider
to be the main value or purpose of abstraction in mathematics?
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| 12. |
When you think of abstract thinking in math, which of
these adjectives do you consider appropriate? (Circle all that apply) |
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easy |
important for society |
frustrating |
| |
hard |
important for getting a job |
peripheral |
| |
mechanical |
important for your understanding |
creative |
| |
challenging |
trivial |
understandable |
| |
mundane |
interesting |
confusing |
| |
Other words that come to mind: |
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