Introduction to the Special Issue: Using Inquiry-Based Learning in Mathematics for Liberal Arts Courses

Abstract

Mathematics for liberal arts courses are a staple of most mathematics departments and are often populated with students who have disengaged from mathematics. Inquiry-based learning is a student-centered pedagogical tool for re-engaging students in mathematics. In this paper, we introduce a Special Issue of PRIMUS on “Using Inquiry-Based Learning in Mathematics for Liberal Arts Courses.”     

作为熟练操行的全球工程伦理

作为负责任的团体,工程职业者在伦理的指导下,向他们所在的社群提供持久服务。全球化要求工程师有意识地参与到更大的领域中,以说服人们接受社会效用、安全性、公民福利等一般需要。工程本身是一种熟练操行,它致力于独立的分析和设计。伦理学家应促进工程师清晰的表达,以阐明他们特定的实践活动、工程技术发展的表象以及专业的直觉判断。工程师与非工程师都要清楚的是,在一般的工程项目中,工程实践是如何促进伦理的和社会的发展,从而在为社会及其未来提供广泛的服务时,职业行为获得有序发展。     

Sex Differences in School Science Performance from Middle Childhood to Early Adolescence

We investigated whether the sexes differ in science performance before they make important course and career selections. We collected teacher-report data from a sample of children from the Twins Early Development Study (TEDS) assessed at ages 9, 10 and 12 years (N>2500 pairs). In addition we developed a test of scientific enquiry and administered it to a sub-sample of TEDS (n=1135; age=14 years). We found no evidence for mean sex differences in science performance assessed by teachers, or by a test of scientific enquiry, although boys were somewhat more variable. At a time when adolescents are making important course choices, girls are performing just as well as boys.     

Forgiveness, the Moral Law and Education: A Reply to Patricia White

Patricia White has recently attempted to construct an ethically valid notion of forgiveness that will serve educational purposes and contribute to the moral development of pupils in schools. She distinguishes between a strict view that requires repentance before forgiveness, which she rejects, and a relaxed view that does not require repentance, which she endorses. In this reply I defend the strict view of forgiveness against her criticism and challenge the ethical propriety of the relaxed view. I shall argue that her support for the relaxed view both runs counter to our deepest moral intuitions and serves to undermine the moral law and moral endeavour.