Research in Education

I've been teaching, off and on, since 1970 and in those years I have managed to figure a few things out. Lately, I have found myself using computer-moderated methods in all my courses. In the case of distance courses, almost all instruction is of this form. At first, I attempted to counter the barriers imposed by the technology, but in recent years, I have attempted to capitalize on the advantages of such instruction, as well. However, at all times, I strive to keep basic educational principals in mind.

This is not an authoritative site. I do not claim to have all the answers or even know all the questions. Nevertheless, this is a list of some papers and presentations, as well as some resources I have found to be useful.

Publications and presentations

• J, Mullen. Enhancing Interaction in Distance Education Courses. Presented at the First Friday Series, New Mexico State University, 1/13/2006.
• J. Mullen. Casting a Wider Net: Teaching Mathematics in an Inclusive Education Setting. New Mexico State University. July 1997.
• J. Mullen. Inclusion 97: Strategies to Improve the Inclusion of Learning-Disabled Students in Middle-School Science and Math Classrooms. A workshop for middle-school teachers, New Mexico State University. June 1997.
• J. Mullen. “Strategies to Improve the Inclusion of Learning-Disabled Students in Middle-School Science and Math
  Classrooms.” New Mexico State University. June 1996.
• J. Mullen. “Making it real.” Proceedings of the 1996 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Engineering Education, Gulf-Southwest Section.” The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX. 3/96.
• J. Mullen and R. Berger. “Experience and Experimentation in Industrial Control.” Conference Proceedings, ASEE North-Midwest Section. October, 1987.
• J. Mullen. “A Compact Model of a Computer Controlled Mill.” Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering, Orlando, Florida, March 1985.
• J. Mullen. “Issues in teaching mathematics to included students with learning disabilities,” New Mexico State
  University. July 14, 1997.
• J. Mullen. “Improving teaching of mathematics problem-solving,” Las Cruces Public Schools. June, 1997.
• J. Mullen. “Improving the teaching of Engineering Problem-Solving,” College of Engineering, New Mexico State University. 1/8/97.
• J. Mullen and Elisa Poel. “Assisting those with learning disabilities,” part of Peer Staff Training, Student Support Services, New Mexico State University, January 10, and August 21, 1995.
• J. Mullen, A. Hyde, L. R. Jones, and M. Glidewell. “Using simulations to promote problem-solving. Center for Educational Development, New Mexico State University. January 29, 1993.
• J. Mullen, E. Conley, E. Johnson, and L. LaFrance. “The importance of concurrent engineering.” Corbett Center, New Mexico State University, January 13, 1993.
• J. Mullen. “Cost-effective Electronic Control Laboratory Modules.” Industry Day Conference on CAD/CAM, Iowa
  State University, Ames, IA. April 1986.
• J. Mullen. “A Model of A Three Axis Contouring Mill Workstation.” 1984 Annual International Conference and Industrial Engineering Show, O'Hare Exposition Center, Chicago, IL. April 6-8, 1984.

Funded Projects

• J. Mullen. “SEM Summer Workshop (RASEM): Strategies to Improve the Inclusion of Learning-Disabled Students in Middle-School Science and Math Classes. $18,817. 5/96 - 2/97.
• E. Steelman (PI). J.Mullen (Faculty participant) “ARCO Minority Retention Program.” 1992 - 1994.
• John Mullen. “Development of a Low-Cost CNC Workstation.” Iowa State University IE Department and Engineering Research Institute. 1/85 - 12/85. $12,000.
• John Mullen. “Development of a Low-Cost Laboratory to Teach Industrial Controls.” Engineering College, Iowa
  State University. 5/83 - 5/84. $18,000.

My short list of resources

• George Pólya (1973). How to Solve It!, 2nd ed. Princeton University Press. QA11 P6 1957. A very compact presentation of both a method to solve complex problems and a method to teach that method. I've been using this since 1962 and it has always worked well.
• George Pólya (1963). Mathematical Methods in Science, volume IX of Studies in Mathematics, Leon Bowden, ed., Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Washington, D.C. ERIC Report 162872. Detailed presentations of topics from geometry and trigonometry through differential equations.
• F. R. Curcio, Ed. (1987). Teaching and Learning: A Problem-Solving Focus. Reston, VA: The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Although designed for k-12, I found many useful ideas for all levels of instruction.
• E. deBono (1967). The Five-Day Course in Thinking. New York: Basic Books. Good ideas for developing critical thinking.
• E. deBono (1974). Children Solve Problems. New York: Harper & Row. Some examples.
• Gardner, M. (1982). aha! Gotcha: Paradoxes to Puzzle and Delight. New York, NY: W. H. Freeman & Co. Some simple puzzles I use in teaching a first course in probability and statistics.
• NIST. (2001). NIST Engineering Statistics Handbook. beta. 2001, from http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/index.htm. An excellent online reference I use in several courses that involve statistical experiment design and analysis.
• Paskusz, G. (1996, March 27-29, 1996). A Freshman Problem Solving Class. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the ASEE Gulf-Southwest Section Meeting, The University of Texas at San Antonio. Some simple, but highly-productive ideas.
• Paul Sloane, D. M. (1993). Challenging Lateral Thinking Puzzles. New York: Sterling Publishing Co. I use the puzzles themselves and Sloane's approach in several courses. There are other books by this author and others of this ilk.
• Piaget, J. The Origins of Intelligence in Children. A surprisingly insightful and lucid presentation on how children can and do learn.
• Siegel, J. P. R. a. A. F. (1960). Counterexamples in Probability and Statistics. Monterey, CA: Wadsworth & Brooks/Cole. Sometimes, a single clear counterexample can speak more loudly than volumes of discussion and proofs.
• Smith, L. G. a. W. (1993). The Cartoon Guide to Statistics. New York, NY: Doubleday. Some students find this helpful.
• Stevenson, H. W. (1992). Learning from Aisian Schools. Scientific American (December), 70 -76. An interesting insight to differences between teacher-led and student-led approaches.
• Townsend, C. B. (1992). The World's Greatest Puzzles. New York: Quality Paperback Book Club. Another good puzzle book.

Last revised 3/2/2008 by J. Mullen