Cavalier Calculus
Jeffrey Holt, Mathematics
2000 TTI Fellow
Email: jjh2b@Virginia.EDU
Project website: (under construction)
The goal of this project is to redesign the mode of delivery of course content in Math 121, replacing most in-class lectures with student group work on challenging problem sets. Employing cooperative learning in a mathematics course typically enhances student learning, but can also slow the pace of the course. To insure that the syllabus is covered, on-line and printed materials will be developed that allow students to independently master rote mechanical skills and study introductions to each topic outside of class, so that in class time can be devoted to deeper study.
Specific support materials that will be developed and used are:
Mastery Quizzes: Students will be requird to pass a set of quizzes on rote mechanical course topics. These quizzes will be delivered on-line, drawing problems from a large database. Students will be allowed multiple chances to pass each quiz, with a high score required to pass.
Pre-Class Hand-outs and Assignments: An introductory hand-out will be prepared for each text section that describes the basics of each topic, and summarizes the section. After studying this hand-out, students will complete a short on-line Pre-Class Assignment to demonstrate their preparedness for in-class work.
In-Class Worksheets: For each topic, a worksheet for student in-class group work will be developed. These worksheets will contain problems with a variety of difficulty levels. The majority of in-class time will be spent on these worksheets, with the instructor circulating among student groups, answering questions.
Homework Sets: Homework will be delivered on-line, using the WeBWorK homework system developed at the University of Rochester. This system generates customized problems sets for each student, with randomnized parameters. Thus students all have essentially the same problems so that they can work together, but with enough differences to insure individual accountability. (The Pre-Class Assignments will use the same system.) The system does not assign partial credit, but does provide instant feedback, and provides the student with the opportunity to correct mistakes and resubmit answers.