This class is designed to be a cooperative venture in learning mathematics.
You will do most of your work in teams of three and will be responsible
for promoting the learning of your teammates as well as the rest of your
classmates. This class will meet every day from 10:45-12:00 and 1:00-2:30
or 3:00. Most morning meetings will be instructor presentations on
course material. Afternoons we will have labs, student presentations, movies,
or problem sessions, or, about once a week, additional lectures. Problem
sessions are not times for the instructor to answer students' questions;
rather they are times for students to present questions, insights, or problem
solutions to other members of the class. The instructor will answer questions
during office hours.
Student Responsibilities
Each student will be expected to be a fully contributing member of a
three-person team. Team responsibilities include:
Written problem solutions: Each team will submit jointly written
word-processed and double spaced! solutions to one or more problems
per day. Team members should take turns writing up the solutions and your
paper should indicate who did the write-up. Ordinarily, solutions are due
by 3:00 p.m. the day after they are assigned.
Problem session participation: Each team will also be responsible
for outlining solutions to most other problems in the text and will be asked
to lead discussions on some of these problems during problem sessions.
Computer and other labs: Teams will also submit joint write-ups
of labs using Geometer's Sketchpad or Cabri software and hands-on
materials. Computer labs must be submitted to the instructor electronically.
Each group will prepare and give a 45 minute presentation on one
of the topics described on the Student Presentations information
sheet. Your group should sign up on the afternoon of January 4, indicating
preferences for a presentation topic. Your group must meet with me on January
4 for a presentation conference and again two or three days prior to your
presentation to review your plans.
Tests and Grading
There will be two take-home examinations on the mathematical content
and a final short essay exam on student presentations and on general concepts.
All tests must be done individually and will account for 60% of your grade
(50% for the take-homes, 10% for the final exam). Each student group will
be assigned a grade based on their presentation, problem session participation
and written problem and lab solutions. This grade will comprise 40% of
your individual grade (20% for the presentation, 20% for other group endeavors.)