MHB How and what to teach on an elementary number theory course.

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The discussion highlights the need for updated teaching methods in elementary number theory, similar to the reforms seen in calculus and linear algebra in the late 80s and early 90s. Participants inquire about significant topics to cover in number theory and seek research or resources that address effective teaching strategies. References to relevant literature, such as "Learning and Teaching Number Theory" and a resource from the Math Teachers' Circle, are provided to support the exploration of this subject. The conversation emphasizes the importance of adapting curricula to enhance student understanding in number theory. Overall, there is a call for more structured research and resources in this area of mathematics education.
matqkks
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In the late 80’s and early 90’s there was the idea of ‘calculus reform’ and some emphasis and syllabus changed. The order of doing things also changed in calculus with the advantage of technology.
Similarly in linear algebra there was a linear algebra curriculum study group which produced some really good ways of teaching linear algebra and also highlighted curriculum changes. This was produced in the January 1993 College Mathematics Journal.
Has any similar work been covered in number theory. I am looking for what are the important topics to cover and any work or research on the teaching of number theory.
 
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matqkks said:
In the late 80’s and early 90’s there was the idea of ‘calculus reform’ and some emphasis and syllabus changed. The order of doing things also changed in calculus with the advantage of technology.
Similarly in linear algebra there was a linear algebra curriculum study group which produced some really good ways of teaching linear algebra and also highlighted curriculum changes. This was produced in the January 1993 College Mathematics Journal.
Has any similar work been covered in number theory. I am looking for what are the important topics to cover and any work or research on the teaching of number theory.

Hi matqkks, :)

You might be interested in the following.

1) Learning and Teaching Number Theory: Research in Cognition and Instruction (Mathematics, Learning, and Cognition): Stephen R. Campbell, Rina Zazkis: 9781567506532: Amazon.com: Books

2) http://www.mathteacherscircle.org/resources/materials/numbertheory.pdf
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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