Title
Collegiate Associate Professor
Pronouns
he, him, his
Subject Areas
Mathematics
Statistics
Education
MS, Mathematical Modeling, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
BA, Mathematics, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
Teaching Locations
Grafenwoehr, Germany
Vilseck, Germany
Email
Professor James Lapp enjoys traveling and this has led him to teach in diverse locations during his career, including positions in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Nevada, Oregon and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands. His experience teaching for the military includes The U.S. Coast Guard Academy, aboard deployed U.S. Navy ships, and at UMGC both in Europe and the Middle East.
Professor Lapp believes mathematics should be presented as a way of thinking using a logical progression of ideas, rather than an endless memorization of facts, procedures, and tricks to be used only on tests, quizzes, and homework. He feels that a student who does not understand mathematics has a greater chance of using mathematics incorrectly.
Understanding the concepts also demystifies mathematics, which allows students to overcome their preconceived notions and fears of the subject. Technology also has a definite role as a supplement to instruction in the classroom. Graphing calculators and computers allow students to see concepts that are difficult to visualize otherwise and increase a student’s problem-solving ability by alleviating tedious calculations.
Professor Lapp’s explorations into the methods of teaching mathematics have led to talks given at over 10 national and regional mathematics conferences.