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Primus | 71 |
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Peer reviewed
Fausett, Laurene V.; Knoll, Cecilia – Primus, 1991
Compares the effectiveness of four different calculus instructional formats based on quantitative measures of student performance, adjusted for differences in student preparation for calculus. Student performance is shown to improve when instruction is presented in a format with faculty involvement. (nine references) (JJK)
Descriptors: Calculus, Classroom Techniques, College Mathematics, Comparative Analysis
Peer reviewed
Friedman, Mordechai Lawrence – Primus, 1993
Several mathematicians have expressed their criticism of calculus instruction and some have developed innovations. This paper reviews the criticism and innovations and then questions the approach and the emphasis of the reformers. (Contains 34 references.) (Author)
Descriptors: Calculus, Educational Change, Higher Education, Instructional Innovation
Peer reviewed
Gordon, Sheldon P. – Primus, 1993
Calculus must evolve or face the prospect of becoming irrelevant. The minimum level of classroom technology now available requires us to rethink the content of our calculus courses. Proposes using graphing calculators and computer algebra systems to include the following topics: local linearity, optimization problems, families of curves, and…
Descriptors: Calculus, College Mathematics, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Uses in Education
Peer reviewed
Sherman, Tom – Primus, 1993
To build understanding of, and the ability to use, first-year science and engineering calculus, students were introduced to differential equations and asked to carry out research on differential equation modeling projects. Describes a model for the research paper; appendices provide a copy of the student handout and five examples of student…
Descriptors: Calculus, College Freshmen, Differential Equations, Engineering Education
Peer reviewed
Sevilla, Alicia; Somers, Kay – Primus, 1993
Describes a course designed by Moravian College, Pennsylvania, to integrate precalculus topics as needed into a first calculus course. The textbook developed for the course covers the concepts of functions, Cartesian coordinates, limits, continuity, infinity, and the derivative. Examples are discussed. (MDH)
Descriptors: Calculus, College Mathematics, Course Descriptions, Higher Education
Peer reviewed
Platt, M. L. – Primus, 1993
Short essay questions are introduced into the calculus course as a technique to involve students with their own learning. Provides (1) instructions to the student for writing the report; (2) results of using the technique; and (3) reasons for using writing in mathematics classes. (MDH)
Descriptors: Calculus, Content Area Writing, Essays, Higher Education
Peer reviewed
Myers, Nadine C. – Primus, 1993
This paper describes the use of cooperative groups in teaching calculus. It discusses benefits and drawbacks of group techniques and presents reactions from both students and the author. (Author)
Descriptors: Calculus, Cooperation, Cooperative Learning, Educational Change
Peer reviewed
Kast, David – Primus, 1993
The crisis confronting calculus and mathematics education generally results from a number of failed assumptions implicit in the dominant lecture-homework-exam methodology used in teaching mathematics. Positive resolution of this crisis can be found in adopting a noncompetitive, collaborative approach to mathematics education. (Author)
Descriptors: Calculus, Cooperative Learning, Grading, Higher Education
Peer reviewed
Lucas, John F. – Primus, 1993
This paper merges state-of-the-art calculator technology with examples drawn from the Harvard Consortium Calculus Curriculum. A brief rationale for selection of the Harvard project and the TI-85 is provided, and four different mathematical situations are examined using different capabilities of the TI-85. Two short TI-85 programs are given.…
Descriptors: Calculus, College Mathematics, Educational Technology, Equations (Mathematics)
Peer reviewed
Hilbert, Stephen; And Others – Primus, 1993
Discusses a pedagogical approach to calculus based on the question: What kinds of problems should students be able to solve? Includes a discussion of types of problems and curriculum threads for such a course. Describes a projects-based calculus with examples of projects and classroom activities. (Author/MDH)
Descriptors: Calculus, Class Activities, College Mathematics, Higher Education
Peer reviewed
Alvarez, Lolina; And Others – Primus, 1993
Working in groups on weekly themes, students discover calculus concepts through assigned readings and written reports. Provides an outline of the course content for two courses and how the courses are organized. An appendix contains the complete text of two themes on curve sketching and applications of the definite integral. (MDH)
Descriptors: Calculus, College Mathematics, Cooperative Learning, Course Descriptions
Peer reviewed
Avioli, John J. – Primus, 1993
Computer labs using Calculus T/L were introduced into Calculus I classes at Christopher Newport University. A description of the labs, the instructor's experiences in using the labs, and student reactions are detailed. Contains instructions for Lab I involving inputting functions, finding difference quotients, and sketching a graph. (Author/MDH)
Descriptors: Calculus, Class Activities, College Mathematics, Computer Assisted Instruction
Peer reviewed
Ratay, Gabriella M. – Primus, 1993
Reports the results of students' performance as measured by grades after the completion of the first three-quarters of calculus using the materials of the Calculus Consortium based at Harvard University. The results are presented in graphical form. The improvement is dramatic for the weaker students and moderate or none for the better students.…
Descriptors: Calculus, College Students, Higher Education, Instructional Innovation
Peer reviewed
Bolte, Linda A. – Primus, 1998
Describes how constructing concept maps and writing accompanying interpretive essays can be used in a Calculus I course to improve students' understanding of important concepts and help teachers assess students' knowledge. This combined approach allows students to explicitly communicate their knowledge and a chance to view mathematics as a…
Descriptors: Calculus, College Mathematics, Concept Mapping, Content Area Writing
Peer reviewed
Baxter, Judith Lee; Majumdar, Dibyen; Smith, Stephen D. – Primus, 1998
Studies the later course grades of students enrolled in freshman calculus taught using traditional texts through 1994-95 and the Harvard method which was fully adopted starting in 1995-96. Reports that, in some cases, the results were indistinguishable but some statistically significant patterns were found. (Author/ASK)
Descriptors: Calculus, Comparative Analysis, Higher Education, Instructional Effectiveness