DWU takes part in the Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics
March 01, 2010
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Ms Thadreina Abady (left), Mrs Susan Arganbright and Prof Deane Arganbright outside the venue of the 14th Annual Conference of the Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics (ATCM 2009) in the Beijing Normal University, in Beijing, China. |
The DWU team taking on the awesome sight of the Great Wall of China |
The 14th Annual Conference of the Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics (ATCM 2009) was held in the Peoples’ Republic of China at the Beijing Normal University in Beijing on the 17-21 December, 2009.
Two Divine Word University academics, Ms. Thadreina Abady of the Department of Information Systems and Prof. Deane Arganbright of the Department of Mathematics and Computing Science, gave talks at the conference. Ms. Abady gave a 30-minute interactive presentation using Excel to discover some mathematical concepts using aspects of PNG culture.
She illustrated concepts from algebra, trigonometry, and calculus using PNG stamps, house wall patterns, and bilums.
Prof. Arganbright presented new techniques for generating mathematical graphical displays in Excel.
In addition, together with Susan Arganbright, these two conducted a 90-minute workshop on original and creative uses of the spreadsheet Microsoft Excel in mathematics. Prof. Arganbright also chaired a session of contributed papers.
The annual ATCM conference is held at various nations in Asia, and attracts a wide representation of international mathematicians and mathematics educators at all levels, not only from Asia, but also from all continents.
At the Beijing conference there were over 500 participants from 30 countries, with 150 presentations and workshops.
ATCM was formed to allow experts in the uses of technology in the teaching of mathematics to interact with each other, present new ideas, and engage in further cooperative projects.
Such a conference provides an excellent opportunity for PNG to acquire new skills, and for the world to discover the high quality of the PNG academic community. Ms. Abady was the first Papua New Guinean to give a presentation in an ATCM conference
One of the conference organizers, Dr. Mirek Majewski, now an academic in the United Arab Emirates, taught at the PNG University of Technology for many years. He chaired the session in which Ms. Abady gave her presentation, and complemented her highly on the quality of her talk.
Talks at the conference focused on a wide range of topics involving the use of technology in mathematics, including diverse mathematical software, effective instructional techniques using technology, dynamical geometry, statistics, culture, and the popularization of mathematics.
Established in 1902, Beijing Normal University is China’s oldest and most prestigious educational university, with enrollments of 8,000 undergraduate, 8,000 postgraduate, and 10,000 continuing education and on-line students, together with 2,000 international students. It was the first Chinese university to offer the PhD degree in Educational Technology. The ATCM 2009 conference utilized both the university’s ultra-modern conference facilities and those of the historically significant mathematic department.
Most international participants stayed in a very affordable 4-star hotel located right on the university campus. In addition to the conference programme, the PNG delegation visited area shops and restaurants, as well as street-side vendors. They also purchased additional cold weather clothing, as daily temperatures were often below -10°C. This was Ms. Abady’s first experience with the frigid winter weather of the far north.
The PNG group flew via Air Nuigini to Hong Kong, overnighted there, and then proceeded via Dragon Air to Beijing. The entry process was easy, and the Chinese people were friendly hosts. Because of concerns regarding flu, individual’s temperatures were taken by a quick scanner both at the airport and each day at start of the conference sessions.
Before conference the PNG group joined in a trip to the Great Wall. Although the weather was extremely cold with brisk breezes, it was a wonderful experience to view magnificent and historical scenery with colleagues from many nations and everyday citizens of China. In addition to a cultural night that provided two hours of traditional music and dances, participants visited the picturesque Summer Palace and the vast historic Forbidden City, the residence of the emperors of China.
Prof. Arganbright stated “This conference was an excellent opportunity for one of our young PNG staff members to gain experience in presenting at an international conference as well as in learning new techniques and in making professional contacts. She gave truly outstanding presentations that were well-received. This also was an advantageous occasion to demonstrate to the international community the high quality of PNG academics. We sincerely thank DWU President Fr. Jan Czuba for his encouragement and support in this endeavour.”
In addition, Ms. Abady explained how this international exposure has given her the opportunity to also discover new techniques and ideas of teaching mathematics shared on a global scale. “I was truly amazed to see how many mathematical concepts can also be used in other disciplines such as geography, history, and medicine. Without working with people of vast experience and expertise in spreadsheets like Professor Deane Arganbright and his wife Susan, I would not have accomplished this undertaking on my own. I sincerely thank my colleagues for their continuous support throughout this wonderful learning experience”.
In addition to receiving some funding from the university, the participants self-generated funds by running workshops in Excel for the public. They were grateful to be able to share their expertise with members of the PNG business and educational communities, and to receive their support toward raising the funds for the conference.
DWU academics are already making plans for an extended participation in the next ATCM conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in December 2010.
They hope to be able to involve more staff from DWU and other PNG universities in this significant activity.
