Igniting Engagement in Building Thinking Classrooms

This interactive 90-minute presentation invites math educators to explore and implement the research based instructional practices rooted in Peter Liljedahl’s work with Building Thinking Classrooms. Designed to spark and ignite student thinking in mathematics, this session will be led by Robb Caporicci, Learning Coordinator of Curriculum Implementation at Thames Valley District School Board. In this blend of interactive engagement and evidence-based strategies, participants will dive into and experience proven methods that enhance problem-solving, critical thinking, and deepen mathematical comprehension. Join us and discover how you can elevate student thinking in mathematics, transforming your classroom into a vibrant place of inquiry and discovery.
Robb Caporicci Thames Valley District School Board, Jeff Waite De-streaming Classroom Support Teacher, TVDSB

Set Your Innovation Journey Ablaze with Vretta-Lyryx!

VLI is proud to unveil our latest innovation, Experiential Learning Interactive Simulations (ELiS), that is designed to revolutionize the educational landscape. ELiS immerses students in real-world scenarios within a virtual environment, providing a hands-on experience that enriches understanding and engagement.
The flames of innovation don’t stop there, we are proud to announce a new edition of our Fundamentals of Mathematics resource which incorporates new hybrid links from paper to digital, empowering students to engage with personalized learning content on any device. Let’s fan the flames of engagement with IntroMath 2.0 together, by fueling a student’s educational journey with unparalleled excitement and discovery.
Join us as we blaze a trail to new educational horizons with IntroMath 2.0
Harsha Varlani and James Howell, Vretta-Lyryx Inc

Using Interactive Learning Tools to Prepare Students for their Future

The best way to learn math is to do math but in many ways, technology has evolved past traditional pencil and paper methods. This presentation will discuss how to engage the modern student using learning tools like videos and interactive figures. We will also cover Interactive Courses, a fresh and modern approach to digital learning, offering extensive hours of instruction and examples through videos, a medium that is both familiar and engaging to students.
Melody Vincent Pearson

Mastery with Cengage

Your opinion matters to Cengage! Join us to discuss students’ success and their knowledge retention of course concepts. Can our new Mastery feature help your students excel in these areas? With this innovative tool you can help build students’ confidence, in a supportive environment that encourages learning from mistakes. By providing a clear path to achieve course mastery, as defined by you, you can empower your students to reach their full potential.
Cengage

Personalization at Scale & Instructor Flexibility with Knewton Alta

The Knewton Alta mastery-based learning experience is personalized based on student performance and provides the just-in-time support students need to retain, recall, and apply knowledge in the future. The Wiley team has been hard at work developing instructor-requested enhancements to make Alta an even better fit for your course needs.
Join our session to learn more about new updates and discuss recent user feedback and results!
Justin Deyell and Nicole Mistroni Wiley

STEAMing into the future with TI

When you think of TI, do you just think business and graphing calculators? Tom will share the rich STEAM potential of our TI tools – Computational Thinking with Python Coding, Design Thinking with robotic cars, drones, and microcontrollers, Data Science, Computer Algebra, …
Tom Steinke Texas Instrument

Ignite Engagement and Career-Readiness in Business Math & Statistics with Formative Assessment

Disruptive technologies have educators rethinking assessment and learning strategies but what remains constant in the path to student success in quantitative studies is the importance of consistent practice and skill-building application. In this session, we will explore two highly engaging tools that instructors have found to be game-changers in their Business Math and Statistics classrooms with the McGraw Hill Connect® award-winning learning platform. Join us to discover:

• How Connect’s adaptive learning solution SmartBook actively engages students in course content by boosting comprehension, while allowing you to identify andtackle knowledge gaps.
• How to promote career-ready skills by leveraging Microsoft Excel applications seamlessly with the new Integrated Excel tool.
• Examples of how formative assessments like SmartBook have impacted courseoutcomes.

Anna Wojdylo and Todd Kirkpatrick McGraw Hill

Hospitality Suite

SPUB-lisher /Game Night Come on over to check out the publishers and vendors. The bar will be open!

Walk/Run Activity
Start the day with a walk/run! Meet at the Gazebo in front of the main lobby.

Breakfast

Numeracy as an Ignitor of Mathematical Thinking

Is there something that numeracy scholarship can help improve our understanding of mathematical thinking? My answer is a resounding yes. Though there is much depth and breadth to numeracy scholarship and to our understanding of mathematical thinking I will keep the presentation short and aim for an interactive session in which you will hopefully experience some of what research tells us about this connection. In preparation for the session, I will suggest a few readings one on numeracy and the other on mathematical thinking.

Gula, Taras, and Miroslav Lovric. (2024) “”Numeracy Tasks: Inspiring Transfer Between Concrete and
Abstract Thinking Spaces.”” Numeracy 17, Iss. : Article 4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5038/ 1936-
4660.17.1.1447 https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/numeracy/vol17/iss1/art4/
Sfard, A. (2001). There is more to discourse than meets the ears: Looking at thinking as communicating to
learn more about mathematical learning. Educational studies in mathematics, 46(1-3), 13-57.
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1023/A:1014097416157.pdf

Taras Gula George Brown College

Navigating Financial Mathematics: An Interactive OER for Inclusive Learning

In this session, we are thrilled to share a comprehensive Open Educational Resource (OER) focused on the Mathematics of Finance, made possible through funding from eCampus. This resource delves into essential financial concepts and embraces both calculator-based and formula-driven methodologies. It offers a blend of textbook, interactive problem sets, real-world examples, video tutorials, and exercise questions. The goal is to facilitate a holistic learning experience and foster deep understanding, problem-solving skills, and practical application. More than just a collection of materials, this resource provides a centralized, interactive, and inclusive hub.
Amir Tavangar and Kate Zhang Humber College

Using Data to Ignite the Flame Towards Statistics

Because of the unfamiliar terminology and general idea of statistics when commencing an introductory statistics course, students commonly miss the importance of data in the subject. Additionally, introductory statistics courses can be quite overwhelming for those who are not as numerically inclined due to the amount and complexity of material that is covered. In Fall 2023, Seneca’s School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry began offering a new Honours Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology program, where students take a 1st semester course titled “Computers and Data”.
Most of the course focuses on the concept and manipulation of data into accurate and useful information and is intended to prepare students for a research and statistics course later in the program. The Computers and Data course is hybrid, with a 1-hour lecture and 3-hour computer lab component.
In this talk, I will discuss how I structured the Computers and Data course and was able to spin it to be heavily data-centric, so students understand early on in their program the concept of data and how it naturally leads into statistics. The goal is to foster an appreciation of data and to ignite the flame towards the field of statistics later in the program.
Monica Wong Seneca Polytechnic

Using ChatGPT and Wolfram/Alpha in Mathematics Education

In this talk, I will provide several real-life and concrete examples of using ChatGPT and Wolfram|Alpha in mathematics education. Based on these examples, I would like to discuss the potential benefits and risks of using these technologies with the audience.
Maksim Sokolov Seneca Polytechnic

Sparking Research into Assessments at Ontario Math and Math-related courses

Members of the OCMC math education research sub-committee would like to design a research study investigates what is being assessed in math and math-related courses in Ontario Colleges, and how are we doing the assessing. Rather than have a few people work on the design we would like to get as many voices and colleagues involved in the design. This session will involve a short presentation of preliminary work done by Frosina and Tracy followed by a working session through which we work to gather information from the attendees. We expect this as a place to start the conversation and hope to start collecting data in the fall of 2024.

Taras Gula George Brown College, Reginald Robson St. Clair College

Interactive Insights: Math Homework Strategies in Focus
This session aims to foster a collaborative discussion on practical strategies for math homework within our courses, emphasizing approaches that not only motivate students to engage in regular practice but also promote confidence and critical thinking. Various strategies for incentives, grading styles, and deadlines will be shared to encourage exploration and discovery of effective methods that extend beyond focusing solely on correct answers. The goal is to collectively identify approaches that support students in cultivating a mindful practice of mathematics.

Heather Milburn Durham College

Unveiling the Significance of Financial Numeracy in Mathematics Education: A Holistic Exploration in the Ontario College Context

This paper aims to investigate the purpose of learning mathematics in post-secondary education by analyzing instructors’ reflections on the importance of financial numeracy in mathematics courses offered by Ontario colleges. Through individual interviews with 12 participants, we investigated why the development of financial concepts is important to teach in college mathematics courses. It would be interesting to think of these mathematics courses as opportunities to develop numeracy skills among students in the context of finance and economics. Moreover, numeracy is composed of 5 categories and mathematical knowledge is one of them. Mathematics courses in colleges have a multi-faceted nature, incorporating financial numeracy relevant to students’ future. Despite possessing robust mathematical knowledge, students are posited to derive substantial benefits from developing financial numeracy skills. This intentional approach not only
enhances their learning experiences personally and professionally but also equips them with essential skills for success in the job market. In essence, the study advocates for a holistic view of mathematics education, positioning it as a key enabler of numeracy skills with practical applications in real-world contexts, particularly within the realms of finance and economics.
Asia Majeed University of Toronto, Alexandre Cavalcante OISE

Math Games are Lit!
Are you tired of the blank stares? Do you want to ignite the same passion in your students that you have for math? Light the fire with some math games that will spark their creative thinking and get them burning with excitement for more!
Sean Saunders Sheridan College

Lunch/Annual General Meeting (AGM)/OCMA Executive Elections

Inter-Active Activities: See the sign-up sheets for activities, including:
Swimming / Golf / Table Tennis / Mini golf / Bocce / Horseshoes / Archery / Lake Activities / Volleyball PRIZES!!!!

Hospitality Suite

Group Photo

Dinner

‘Sine of Fire’ Show

Hospitality Suite

Walk/Run Activity
Start the day with a walk/run! Meet at the Gazebo in front of the main lobby

Breakfast

Sparking Ideas for Teaching College Statistics Courses in 2024

Please join us in a dynamic roundtable discussion on how we teach college-level statistics, in a digital, post-pandemic era. This session aims to facilitate a collaborative exchange of insights among professors, focusing on best practices, tools, and resources, the integration of artificial intelligence, strategies for evaluation and testing, and adaptation to evolving educational needs.

Joshua Emmanuel Humber College, Lisa MacKay SAIT, Sean Saunders Sheridan College

Rekindling an Interest in Fundamental Mathematics

Teaching fundamental mathematics to adult learners can have its challenges. Many struggle to accept that they must relearn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide in a college level course. How can we ignite interest so that the learning experience is enjoyable and enriching? I will share some of the fun and interesting ways I rekindle curiosity in my students. We will explore the different ways people multiply, what a remainder is, division by zero and why two negative factors yield a positive product. I will also share my experience formalizing these ideas and techniques into an existing hybrid resource for fundamental level mathematics over this past summer.
Derek Jennings Confederation College

Transforming Math Education: Online Diagnostic Tests and Remedial Modules

More than just a Test, the OCMT is an assessment for learning that aims to stoke the flames of a love for mathematics. By identifying gaps early, and providing information to students, faculty, and administrators, the OCMT will reignite the spark in mathematics education before they begin their studies. Identifying the gaps and creating a personalized learning environment has been shown to increase positive attitudes, motivation, and confidence towards mathematics. Actionable data made available to instructors has enabled them to shift and adapt learning plans to improve results and outcomes. By embracing these tools in the classroom, we can foster a generation of confident and enthusiastic math learners!
Emily Brown Sheridan College, James Howell Vretta-Lyryx Inc

Stats in Python

Most introductory statistics textbooks use Excel, R or a custom tool to assist with computations and visualizations. In this talk, the programming language Python will be presented as an alternative for students studying software development or engineering.
Popular in the data science and machine learning space, Python provides a simple way for students to not only perform typical statistical operations but also to embed their results into larger applications. The presenter has designed a course using this language and has run it for the first time this past term. A demonstration showcasing Python’s statistical features will be presented and a summary of the presenter’s (and students’) experiences will conclude the session.

Eden Burton Seneca Polytechnic

Student Success in Foundational Math Courses: A Five-Alarm Fire!

Although the trend of weakening foundational math skills and numeracy began pre-pandemic, it has been accelerated in the past 4 years, with students emerging from high school who have never written an exam, and who struggle severely with core concepts previously taken for granted, like rounding, calculating percent, and solving basic linear equations. Now, more than ever, college math faculty across a variety of programs are expected to teach foundational math concepts to students with almost no mathematical background. Join us as we discuss the challenges faced in our classrooms and share
strategies to help our students succeed in their foundational math courses!
Erin Kox Fanshawe College, Irene Lee Humber College,
Sean Saunders Sheridan College

Understanding Math Anxiety
Creating an enjoyable math class experience in the face of math anxiety can be like trying to light a match on a windy day. This presentation will summarize current research about mathematics anxiety: What is math anxiety? How does it develop? Who has it? What are the implications?
A better understanding of math anxiety will allow us to ignite the spark for mathematics despite math anxiety’s attempts to extinguish it.
Mallory Andrews Loyalist College

Lunch and Closing Remarks