ERIC Number: EJ976969
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1051-1970
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Improving the Instruction of Infinite Series
Lindaman, Brian; Gay, A. Susan
PRIMUS, v22 n5 p373-385 2012
Calculus instructors struggle to teach infinite series, and students have difficulty understanding series and related concepts. Four instructional strategies, prominently used during the calculus reform movement, were implemented during a 3-week unit on infinite series in one class of second-semester calculus students. A description of each strategy is accompanied by support from the literature on teaching secondary and post-secondary mathematics. Course exam data were collected to measure the performance of students in the reform class then compared to a traditional class. Data were also collected on an instrument where students were asked to provide written responses to items about series and sequences. Differences and similarities in students' responses provide insight into students' misconceptions about infinite series and the effectiveness of the instructional strategies. "Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of "PRIMUS" to view the free supplemental file." (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)
Descriptors: Educational Strategies, Educational Change, Calculus, Misconceptions, Mathematics, Instruction, Teaching Methods, Feedback (Response), Data Collection
Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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