“DECIMAL”: A Comprehensive Approach of Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics General Education Courses

Abstract

The teaching and learning of university mathematics general education courses plays a vital role in forming the basic knowledge structure and cultivating the innovation ability of undergraduate students. Innovation and reform of teaching and learning is an eternal topic for improving instructors’ teaching quality and students’ learning experience. Aiming to enhance undergraduate mathematical literary, we propose a comprehensive teaching approach named “DECIMAL”. The general objectives of this teaching approach are towards a research-oriented teaching model and critical thinking cultivation. Practical experiences are accumulated by years of teaching undergraduate mathematics general education courses, such as “Linear Algebra” and “Probability and Statistics”. Based on current literature research and practical teaching and learning experiences, some guidance of teaching and learning innovation is presented from several aspects, which forms the comprehensive approach “DECIMAL”, consisting of “Design of courses, Examples selection, Charm display, Intelligent tools utilization, Miscellaneous resources, Arousal of interest and Linkage of different courses”. Each factor is illustrated by methodology discussions and specific examples in various teaching scenarios. Positive feedback from students and peers is achieved in teaching practice by applying these teaching methods and techniques comprehensively. The proposed approach has practical significance in teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics courses for non-math major students.