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04/06/06 Colloquium
Dr. William L. Briggs
University of Colorado at Denver
University of Colorado at Denver
Teaching Quantitative Literacy
Abstract: As individuals and as a society in the 21st century, we face challenges and choices that could affect our survival as a species. Understanding those issues and making informed decisions require fundamental quantitative skills that all college and university students should possess. From decisions about personal finance and voting issues, to choices of food, lottery tickets and computers; from understanding the federal debt to appreciating the mathematics of pollution and deforestation, we are all called to higher levels of quantitative literacy if we are to be effective citizens.This talk will begin by briefly surveying the rationale for developing a quantitative literacy (QL) course and justifying such a course as a legitimate alternative to college algebra for liberal arts students. Most of the talk will consist of examples of activities, problems, and projects used in an existing QL course. Discussion following the talk will focus on the practical implementation of QL courses.
