Current Teaching Projects:

Cooperative Learning Projects for Calculus   -  While cooperative learning is widely understood to be something that we should be doing in our classes, there continues to be a shortage of course specific materials
available to aid our efforts.  I am currently developing a set of application projects covering a broad range of topics from first semester calculus which are designed specifically to be worked in groups.  Each project is based
upon an real-life application of Calculus and includes actual data obtained via a bit of web research.  Furthermore, use of technology is usually required to complete the projects and they all include a final writing
assingment for completion.  The following projects (which can be downloaded in pdf format) have been tried by students in classes here at Armstrong. The feedback, both formal and informal, both in student attitude and ability, has been favorable.

Window Architecture (Optimization and Differentials)

Flight of a Paratrooper (Limits at Infinity, Derivatives)

Climbing Mount Everest  (Linearization, Modeling)

Performance and Safety :Mustang Cobra vs Jeep Grand Cherokee (Antidifferentiation, Solns. of DEs)

At the beginning of the project, each student in the group chooses the role which s/he will play.  Each of the roles is called upon to lead the work/discussion during different stages of the project.  Grading is based upon
both project correctness and quality as well as individual contribution.  After completion of the project students rate each colleague's contribution via a rating sheet (pdf). This rating is included in individual grades.  Furthermore, before projects are distributed each member of the group must read and sign a cover sheet (pdf) explaining the grading as well as the "rules" they must follow while working together.
 
 

Maple Projects for Linear Algebra  -
 

A Nutritionists Problem (Solving Systems via Row Reduction - Intro Project)

Designing a Web-Page Logo (Applications of Linear Transformations to Computer Graphics)
 
 

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