Partners in math education through technology: Ateneo Mathplus Resources Laboratory hosts Prof Wei-Chi Yang of Radford University

For several years now, the Ateneo Mathplus Resources Laboratory of the Department of Mathematics, School of Science and Engineering has been committed to the development and integration of various technological tools for improving mathematics teaching and learning throughout the country.

Through the support of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the laboratory has already produced several mobile apps and computer software for grade school and high school mathematics; these resources are freely available in the laboratory’s websites https://mathplusresources.wordpress.com/ and https://mathplusresources.com/.

The laboratory’s mandate supports the research thrust of technology in mathematics education of the Department of Mathematics,  and STEM education of SOSE. This is also aligned to the University’s research thrust of Educational Reform and Transformation. Consistent with its objectives and through an Internationalization Grant from the university’s Office of the Assistant Vice President for University Partnerships and Internationalization (OAVP-UPI), the Ateneo Mathplus Resources Laboratory hosted Emeritus Professor Wei-Chi Yang of Radford University, USA last 28 April to 1 May 2025 for a short but meaningful visit in our Katipunan campus.

Dr Wei-Chi Yang is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Statistics at Radford University, Virginia. He is the founder of the Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics (ATCM) and the Electronic Journal of Mathematics and Technology (EJMT). Since 1991, he has delivered over 300 presentations across six continents, focusing on the innovative use of technological tools, such as Dynamic Geometry Software and Computer Algebra Systems, in teaching, learning, and research in mathematics. His work also includes contributions to computational Henstock integration in multiple dimensions. In December 2025, the ATCM will be hosted by and held in our university. The conference will bring together mathematicians and mathematics educators from several countries and will feature Scopus-indexed proceedings.

On 29 April, the Mathplus team facilitated a morning campus tour for Prof Wei-Chi Yang in preparation for the upcoming ATCM 2025 conference. The purpose of the tour was to evaluate potential venues for various conference activities and ensure their suitability for the event’s program. The tour included a visit to Escaler Hall, identified as a suitable location for plenary sessions due to its layout, seating capacity, and technical capabilities. For invited talks and parallel sessions, several rooms at the CTC were reviewed and deemed appropriate for their accessibility and reliable internet connectivity. Additionally, the Areté Makerspace was proposed as the venue for hands-on workshops, offering a creative environment ideal for technology-driven demonstrations and collaborative activities. Prof. Yang expressed positive feedback regarding the facilities and their alignment with the conference’s logistical and thematic needs. 

In the afternoon, a meeting was held to review updates on key aspects of the ATCM 2025 conference, including the secretariat, registration procedures, logistical planning, and financial arrangements. Discussions covered the registration process, budget considerations, and accommodations for invited speakers and other participants. Additional logistical details were also reviewed to ensure smooth coordination in the lead-up to the event.

In the morning of 30 April, an informal meeting was held between the mathematics education faculty, graduate students, and Prof Yang to exchange recent trends in mathematics education, especially on the integration of technology in teaching and learning mathematics.

Prof Yang recounted his personal experiences with using technology to learn mathematics during his high school and university years, which sparked his interest in integrating mathematics and technology. He also narrated the origins and vision behind the creation of the Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics (ATCM). He highlighted how ATCM emerged from his desire to bring together educators, researchers, and practitioners interested in exploring the integration of technology into mathematics and mathematics education. He recounted its early beginnings, milestones, and how it has evolved into a significant platform for dialogue and innovation in the field.

The graduate students asked questions related to the issues and practical use of technology in classroom instruction, assessment, and research. Prof Yang responded with thoughtful insights, emphasizing the need for purposeful integration of technological tools that enhance, rather than replace, mathematical thinking. He also encouraged the students to be critical and creative in exploring new tools and to consider the pedagogical implications of using technology in different learning contexts.

The meeting provided an enriching experience for all participants. It allowed for an open exchange of ideas and gave the graduate students the opportunity to learn from an expert with a global perspective on mathematics and mathematics education.  

A special hybrid seminar was then held in the afternoon of 30 April 2025, featuring Dr Yang. It was promoted as part of the Mathematics Department’s Mathematics Research Seminar Series. The event was conducted in SECA 302 and streamed via Zoom, attracting around 40 participants composed of faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students.

In his talk, Dr Yang discussed how mathematical tools such as dynamic geometry softwares and computer algebra systems enable learners to form conjectures, test hypotheses, and explore mathematical phenomena in intuitive and interactive ways. Dr Yang also reflected on his work in computational Henstock integration, and how this area, while highly theoretical, also benefits from visualization and symbolic computation. The session was well-attended and generated interest among participants, who found the presentation both engaging and thought-provoking. The talk encouraged reflection on the evolving role of technology in mathematics education and inspired meaningful academic exchange.

The successful activities conducted during Prof Yang’s visit underscores the Ateneo Mathplus Resources Laboratory’s commitment to continue the exploration and promotion of technology in mathematics education and mathematics research. Currently, the laboratory is actively engaged in a DOST-PCIEERD project to develop and test serious games for college mathematics: calculus, and mathematics in the modern world. Moreover, members of the laboratory are also currently serving as the local organizing committee members for the 30th Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics (ATCM), which will be held in Ateneo de Manila University from 13-16 December  2025.

This will be the first time that ATCM will be held in the Philippines. The conference is currently welcoming interested participants to submit abstracts or full papers for possible inclusion in the conference. For more details, visit https://www.atcm.mathandtech.org/. See you there!