Title III Fellowship Project Announcement
Fellowship Cycle: Year 2
Awarded to: Bruce Umbaugh
Related Courses:
PHIL 1100: Introduction to Philosophy
PHIL 3360: Ethics for Cyberspace
Abstract:
An Active Learning Environment to Build Numeracy for Understanding
Artificial Intelligence and Cryptography
Bruce Umbaugh, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor of Philosophy
This project will create an active learning environment to improve student
learning in Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 1100 [cri, hum]) and Ethics
for Cyberspace (PHIL 3360). In both of these classes, innumeracy--a lack
of mathematical fluency--is a barrier to student learning in parts of the
course. The Fellowship will be used to develop and implement approaches
and materials that increase student sensitivity to big numbers, make
relevant concepts more vivid, and help students learn actively.
The core of the problem in both classes is that "big numbers" are
hard to
grasp, but important to some of the philosophical material. the project
will produce illustrative videos of the "Chinese Room" and public
key
cryptography, as well as simulations or other interactive products to
facilitate active, experiential learning.
In all, given the courses in which the materials to be produced will be
used, the Fellowship will bring more technology into and improve teaching
and learning in a significant way in four Goals of the General Education
program (CRIT, HUM, SCI, and VAL) and for students in four schools or
colleges--Arts and Sciences, Business and Technology, Communications,
Education--as well as at least one Interdisciplinary Program (Ethics).
Project Files