University of Modern Sciences

College of Business
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Critical thinking techniques

[GED20303]
Spring 2014/2015

Prepared by

Ali Sari Ali Mohamed Almansoori

201321299
Section 3
1
Abstract

This self-evaluation document is divided into four basic parts. Part 1 spells out the overview of

mathematics department. Part 2 examines the departmental self-evaluation tool, and part3

discusses the positive and negative sides in addition to advantages and disadvantages for the

departmental self-evaluation. Finally, chapter 4 provides results and recommendation of the the

departmental self-evaluation.

2
Introduction about Mathematics Department

The department of mathematics is one of departments at the university of modern science.

Research and teaching in the department is traditionally concentrated in the area of pure

mathematics, but the department maintains strong intellectual and practical connections with the

other departments, and its teaching mission reaches all of the university. The department of

mathematics offers programs at all undergraduate and graduate levels of instruction, and its

research team is well known nationally and internationally.

The mathematics department interest in students and teaching with a distinguished research

reputation several strong research groups, analysis, algebraic geometry, geometry and topology,

and number theory, all have active weekly seminars that draw speakers ranging from the local to

the international.

3
Departmental self-evaluation tool

Needs some Major areas for

SEF Strength
development development

Achievement and
standards

What are the

targets for raising
pupils Targets are established for Department makes Pupils performance
attainment? improvement for cohorts, effective use of data is collected and is
groups of pupils and baseline and beginning to be used
individual pupils, using the assessment data. to inform and monitor
outcomes of review and Specific pupil pupil progress.
monitoring. achievement and Department is aware
progress data is of and is developing
Targets are linked for
generated and used further target setting
pupils attainment to targets
to inform target strategies.
for pupils learning.
setting.

For each year group, targets

are cross referenced with
the scheme of work and
teaching plans.

4
How do we Department is
review with working towards
With colleagues, progress is
teachers their developing monitoring
regularly reviewed relating
assessment of Mechanisms for and evaluation
to key curricular targets and
students monitoring have strategies, which are
to under performing groups
progress against been developed. beginning to be used
and individuals. The
targets? Outcomes of to gauge outcomes
outcome of the reviews is
monitoring and and inform future
used to: share effective
evaluation are planning.
practice, design support and
coming to be used to
agree ways of tackling
inform planning and
pupils under performance
the setting of targets

5
Positive and negative sides

Positive

To examine the existing system

To define the evaluative issues and to focus the inquiry in order to determine the extent to

which the post structure was meeting the needs of the department and to examine ways in

which the structure might be improved or changed

To identify and acknowledge the views of the stakeholders

To determine the evaluative questions that would guide the review

To analyze data gathered (using a variety of methods), to identify alternatives and to

develop a set of recommendations.

Negative

Difficulties associated with the timing of the evaluation

Period of difficulties between a teachers union and the Department of Mathematics on a

countrywide basis

More time was required than anticipated due to a variety of local factors

6
Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

Encourages student involvement and responsibility.

Encourages students to reflect on their role and contribution to the process of the group

work.

Allows students to see and reflect on their peers assessment of their contribution.

Focuses on the development of students judgment skills.

Disadvantages:

Potentially increases lecturer workload by needing to brief students on the process as well

as on-going guidance on performing self-evaluation.

Self-evaluation has a risk of being perceived as a process of presenting inflated grades

and being unreliable.

Students feel ill equipped to undertake the assessment.

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Some tools that could help the development of the department are:-

Analysis of quantitative data

Questionnaires

Individual interviews

Group interviews

Observation

Sentence completion/student diaries or logs

Photo evaluation

Spot checks

Student work

Shadowing

8
Results

The departments self-evaluation identifies how the department serves the students.

The departments self-evaluation is a part of the ongoing management of the department

The departments self-evaluation based on a good range of evidence

The departments self-evaluation involve the whole department, the students, parents and

external agencies

The departments self-evaluation lead to action

9
Recommendations

Students successfully completing a major in Mathematics will demonstrate a range of

mathematical thinking skills and abilities which they use in the acquisition of mathematical

knowledge. Their work at the end of the program will be clear, precise, and well-reasoned. They

will demonstrate in their thinking, command of the key mathematical terms and distinctions, the

ability to identify and solve fundamental mathematical problems.

Their work will demonstrate a mind in charge of its own mathematical ideas, assumptions,

inferences, and intellectual processes. They will demonstrate the ability to analyze mathematical

questions and issues clearly and precisely, formulate mathematical information accurately,

distinguish the relevant from irrelevant, recognize key questionable mathematical assumptions,

use key mathematical concepts effectively, use mathematical language in keeping with

established professional usage, identify relevant competing mathematical points of view, and

reason carefully from clearly stated mathematical premises, as well as sensitivity to important

mathematical implications and consequences. They will demonstrate excellent mathematical

reasoning and problem-solving

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