Julie Harland Sabbatical Leave Application, October 3, 2003
Statement of Type of Leave
I propose to pursue a non-traditional sabbatical leave.
Stated Objectives
I propose to write three comprehensive hands-on workbook modules which can be used in one or more mathematics courses at MiraCosta College. Each module will be of publishable quality, and will be submitted with my report of completion.
Description of Activities
First, I'd like to offer some background information. My last sabbatical was for a full year in 1995-1996. I wrote three modules and developed a packet of Material Cards for Math 105, Concepts and Structures of Elementary Mathematics, a course required for students pursuing a career teaching elementary school. In my sabbatical report, I submitted about 250 pages of original material, organized as a series of modules, which are similar to chapters of a textbook. The purpose of these comprehensive and self-contained modules is to enhance collaboration and provide hands-on learning; students read and do problems on almost every page—which is what makes these modules different from chapters in a traditional math text. In my first semester back, I used my newly developed materials in my Math 105 course. For the first few years after my sabbatical, my modules replaced part of the standard textbook, but I still needed to use a traditional math book to cover the rest of the curriculum. During my summers and time off since my last sabbatical, I wrote and edited six more modules to complete the text for Math 105, and this full set of modules now replaces the traditional math textbook for the Math 105 class. Comments from students have been very favorable, and all instructors at MCC who teach Math 105 use my materials.
For this sabbatical, I will write three new hands-on modules that can be used in one or more mathematics courses at MCC. Upon my return, I will make these new modules available to any instructor who wishes to use one or more of them. I plan to write modules that stress understanding and concepts. I have several ideas for possible module topics, such as appropriate graphing calculator usages, order of operations, simplifying and evaluating variable expressions, graphing, factoring, word problems, and geometry.
Each module will be complete and comprehensive, and will include a table of contents, thorough explanations, examples, exercises, and solutions. They will be of publishable quality.
Contribution to District
a. How will the study contribute to the professional development of the applicant?
I believe that writing educational materials in the discipline of mathematics is the best way for me to enhance my personal professional development as a mathematics educator. I will use my many years of teaching experience to write about topics I know students need extra help understanding. I am particularly interested in developing modules for the classes I teach because I have experienced the tremendous benefits of using my own modules in Math 105.
b. How will the study or project enhance the individual in his/her work at the college?
This study will certainly enhance my work at the college. I will have some new and innovative materials for my courses. Immediately upon my return, my own students will be using the material I develop. Teaching using my own materials is a great benefit to me because I know the writing inside and out.
c. How will the study or project benefit in other ways the student served?
Since I will be developing new and improved program materials for mathematics students at our college, this sabbatical leave project will directly benefit my students and other students whose instructors use the materials. I have seen first-hand the enormous benefit to students using materials that I myself have written. I write clearly, and my "voice" is friendly and familiar, as if I am talking to students. Most students say they can't and don't read traditional textbooks, which have several pages of explanation, and then several homework problems. Students go directly to the problems, and skip the explanations that lead to understanding the concepts. Mathematics is a language that is difficult for many people to read and understand. I write so my students can and will read. I intersperse problems with explanations and examples. The hands-on workbook that I develop will substitute for a traditional mathematics textbook. Students who use my book will read and try problems on almost every page. One of my strengths as a teacher is my ability to explain clearly so others can understand, and I also write in a way that is easy to read and understand. Students appreciate the way I write, and they learn to read, comprehend, and often even enjoy mathematics. I want students to be successful and to like math—to see its beauty, its logic, its connections, and its patterns. That is why I write.
Contribution to District, continued
d. How will the study or project benefit the applicant's colleagues?
My mathematics colleagues will be given access to use my materials in their own classes. They may use part or all of any module. I share all of my materials with my colleagues. Colleagues in other disciplines and departments also may benefit from my experience. I have shared my previous writing experience and materials with colleagues who have been interested in doing similar endeavors themselves, and will again make myself available in that way.
e. Does the proposal indicate enough activity to justify a sabbatical leave of the requested type?
This proposal requires at least a full semester's worth of time and work. Writing in a professional manner is a time-consuming task, and I plan to write and edit several hours daily during the school year. It will take about 200 hours to write each module. Thus, I expect to spend a minimum of 600 hours writing and editing these modules, which is more than the equivalent amount of time that would be spent on twelve units of graduate work.
f. How does the study or project benefit the applicant's department or division?
I will be writing in my discipline, and think it is a benefit to my department to have a writer of course materials in the department. Also, other instructors will have full access to my materials, and will be free to use them in their own courses.
Procedures for Documentation
When I turn in my sabbatical leave report, I will submit three math modules. Furthermore, I will provide a log of my writing activities and any other relevant professional activities I participate in, which may include conferences, meetings, visitations, research, and/or collaboration with other faculty at MiraCosta or other institutions.
Brief Description of Sabbatical Leave
I propose to write three comprehensive hands-on workbook modules which can be used in one or more mathematics courses at MiraCosta College. Each module will be a combined text/workbook, similar to a chapter in a book, but is more comprehensive and sel