"I want students to have a positive, exciting and interesting experience in my class. We look at a problem, discuss it together and try to figure it out. The students learn to think independently and solve problems," she said. This process is called cooperative learning and is relatively new at the college level. "When I started teaching on a university level in 1975, cooperative learning was used more at the elementary level. I did not want to teach to a test, but wanted students to construct ideas that they would understand. Students who learn this way are more likely to remember what they have learned," Sister Barbara pointed out. "I start with wherever incoming students are. Since I teach freshmen through seniors, they are at varying levels of competency. Many students are anxious about math and see it as required class to just get behind them. I want to capture their imaginations with the beauty of the subject. I try to engage them in the problem, and I teach them how to read into the problem situation and solve a variety of problems," she said. Sister Barbara is a noted author and expert in the field of mathematics and cooperative learning in undergraduate mathematics. She has co-authored several books and is also an editor of a series of books published by a professional mathematics association. "Teaching
is energizing. I draw energy from active teaching
and the study of mathematics. When I study
a math idea, I'm getting closer to God. Is
it any wonder I'm so enthusiastic about this
subject?" Sister Barbara enjoys living in a neighborhood near Mother of Good Counsel Parish in a home owned by the Sisters, sharing life with them and with her neighbors. Some children of a neighbor are shown with Sister Barbara in the photo. To
learn more about Sister Barbara's ministry
visit: |
Perhaps
many college students would take more challenging
math and computer classes if they had a teacher
like Sister Barbara Reynolds. She believes
in a participative class in which students
work together on projects and textbook problems.
Not only is her office door open, but she
can also be e-mailed after school and at night
if a student is having a difficult time. At
this rate, math anxiety could become a thing
of the past on the Cardinal Stritch University
campus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.