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Mathematics: Introduction: Introduction

Introduction

This guide has been created in order to assist students in their investigation and research in the field of Mathematics.  It is not meant to be all inclusive, but rather a selection of topics, issues, researchers and thinkers, books, online resources and social media to pique interest in Mathematics and act as a road map as to where further resources can be found.

Curriculum Links

Created by Nadine Bailey

This guide was created by Nadine Bailey between November 2013 and June 2015.

Please report any problems or missing links to libraryeast@gapps.uwcsea.edu.sg for changes and updates.

Video - what is ?

What is Mathematics?

Robert Lang is a pioneer of the newest kind of origami -- using math and engineering principles to fold mind-blowingly intricate designs that are beautiful and, sometimes, very useful.

How Resources are organised in this Subject Guide

1.  Introduction

This gives a brief overview of the topic and includes:  Introductions to the topic,  Announcements,  Curriculum guide, Search guide, HDI widget, subject  glossary.

2. Books and Physical Resources

Here links can be found to books held by the UWCSEA libraries as well as other documents from the course coordinator.   An overview of the call numbers using the Dewey Decimal Classification System is given to assist with finding materials on the libraries shelves.  A Goodreads group has been formed and populated with a Comprehensive Bibliography of works by prominent names in the field for collaborative learning. 

3. Online Resources

Will take you to databases of the school and other organisations where you can find journal articles and other online material such as statistics, data, search engines, working papers, and open access Journals. Useful search terms are also introduced. 

4. Institutions and People

In any academic discipline it is important to be familiar with the institutions and people who are prominent in the field. In this section a few of the most famous are introduced and links are provided for you to explore further.

5. Social Media & Audio-visual Resources

Acquisition and dissemination of knowledge is a collaborative activity.  Various tools on the internet lend themselves to this, including blogging, podcasting, tweeting, and MOOCs (massive open online courses).  These allow information to not only to be found in books and journals, but in a variety of audio-visual materials which can suit all learning styles.  A good example of a podcast, video, open online course, blog, and twitter feed is provided as an entry point for further investigation.

7. Hot topics

This section will vary as topics are introduced in the curriculum and students are given an overview of some of the literature and research in the area.  Students can explore hot topics further in their extended essays or propose topics and resources to expand this guide.

Google Scholar Searches

Google Scholar Search

Terms Glossary

Mathematics, as any other academic discipline, uses terms and abbreviations in a specific way. This link will take you to an on-line Glossary of Terms & Concepts from Bruce Simmons, a math educator from the USA. The website is designed for math students who need an easy-to-use, easy-to-understand math resource all in one place. It is a comprehensive listing of formulas and definitions from beginning algebra to calculus. The explanations are readable for average math students, and over a thousand illustrations and examples are provided.