Chapter 1 Logo

Alfred University Calculus Initiative
  Preface - To the Teacher  

"Turning Calculus Inside Out and Upside Down"

Components:
In the Classroom
In the Classroom:

Since there are only two required lectures (see Introduction), the use of class time is one of the most important aspects of the AUCI. The activities are constructed so that teachers can incorporate common active learning strategies such as think/pair/share, discussion, group work, and problem-based learning. Most activities are divided into four sections:

For Discussion: Highly recommended, but ultimately optional. This section is intended to provide a brief snapshot of the current lesson. Options for its implementation include calling on students at random and generating a group discussion, asking individual students to answer questions privately while others work on the problem set, or assigning as an additional writing assignment. The teacher may also encourage students to ask questions about the lesson during this time. Teachers should keep in mind, however, that the main focus of the activity is the problem set. Spending time reviewing lessons defeats the purpose of flipping, and it gives students an excuse to come to class unprepared. While we certainly urge teachers to incorporate this section into the class meeting, it could also be treated as an optional activity.
Problem Set: Mandatory. This section is intended to help students make the transition from the basic questions asked in the quiz to the more challenging questions asked in the homework assignment. This is a great time for students to assess their understanding and to get help if they need it. The teacher has the opportunity to monitor student progress in real time while giving extra attention to those who are struggling. The problems in this set should be completed by every student before the end of class.
Optional: Optional, but highly recommended for potential math majors. This section is intended for the students who have completed and understood the required problems from the main problem set, as well as for those who are interested in some of the more theoretical and deeper aspects of calculus. While some of these exercises are referenced elsewhere in the textbook, their omission does not affect the flow of the material.
Supplemental Exercises: Optional. Most lessons have supplemental exercises which can be found in Appendix E. The teacher may use his or her own discretion on how to use these exercises.

 

NSF Logo This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1140437.

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.