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For more information contact mark.a.kinders@uwrf.edu or brenda.k.bredahl@uwrf.edu.

Quantitative Learning Conference Planned

FEB. 24, 2006--The University of Wisconsin System Office of Professional and Instruction Development (OPID) is sponsoring a conference on quantitative literacy at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls on March 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Quantitative literacy can be described s mathematics in context. It is an understanding of how numerical data are used to make public policy and other decision is an essential part of the personal civic responsibility of all university graduates. Many colleges and universities have formally integrated quantitative learning in their curricula through various strategies, such as common first year courses, discipline-specific quantitative learning courses, or a multidisciplinary quantitative course requirement in general education. The invited speakers will share their experiences in developing, implementing, and assessing quantitative learning programs.

The conference will include four sessions. Session one, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., will be an overview of the quantitative learning and discussion time. Session two, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., features Neil Lutsky, professor of psychology from Carleton College and director of the Quantitative Inquiry, Reasoning, and Knowledge program at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. He will present "Got Numbers?   Strengthening Quantitative Reasoning across the Curriculum."

A lunch break will be held from 12:15 to 1 p.m. for all participants of the conference. Session three, from 1 to 2:15 p.m., features Milo Schield, professor of business administration at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn. and director of the W.M. Keck Statistical Literacy Project at Augsburg. He will present "Statistical Literacy: Quantitative Literacy for Humanities Majors."

Session four, from 2:15 to 3 p.m., is an open forum in which conference participants will be given the opportunity to discuss the level at which quantitative learning is already a part of their curricula and strategies for formalizing and/or enhancing quantitative learning programs at their institutions.

Participants should plan to attend all sessions of the conference. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. For more information contact Don Leake at don.leake@uwrf.edu .

The UW System OPID serves as a statewide faculty development resource for University of Wisconsin System institutions. Over the past few years OPID has expanded its emphases to meet the broader professional needs of faculty and academic staff with programming on topics such as student learning, the scholarship of teaching and learning, career stages, and faculty roles and rewards. OPID's council remains essential to its operation, both as an advisory board and as a liaison between System and its campuses.

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