Two SCF Mathematics Professors Use Grants to Improve Online Education

(Bradenton, Fla., Oct. 8, 2020) — Kim Ghiselin, chair of the Mathematics department at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) and Michael Bellissimo, a mathematics instructor at SCF, received minigrants from the American Mathematics Association of Two-Year Colleges Foundation to ease the transition of their courses to an online format.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many instructors were required to hold courses online. The minigrants were awarded to help faculty obtain equipment, materials and software that would improve the quality of the learning experience.

Ghiselin’s award supported her efforts to serve different students’ learning styles. She offered downloadable exams for her Pre-Calculus course for students who preferred a pencil-and-paper option. Students returned the scanned tests for credit and feedback.

Bellissimo used his funds to purchase a high-quality document camera that uploads videos directly to the students’ e-learning platform. He used the camera to record videos for his College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry and Applied Calculus courses.

For more information, visit AMATYC.org/page/Grants or contact Bellissimo at BellisM@SCF.edu or 941-408-1478.