Informal Description
Here is some additional information and advice to give you a better idea what to expect from this class, how to enjoy it and do well, and help you decide whether or not this class is for you.
- This class will probably be quite large by COA standards. You
and I will need to work together creatively to make sure that this
classtime is comfortable and effective, and that outside of class
people are able to get all the help they need. I have taught this
class with more than thirty students and it worked out fine.
- Falling behind in this course is not a good idea. If you're
confused about something, it's very important that you seek help
sooner rather than later. There are many people around who can offer
help. However, we can't offer assistance if we don't know who needs
it when. You need to take responsibility to seek help if you need
it. On a related note ...
- I do not expect all of the homework assignments to be easy; I don't
expect you to be able to sit down and do them easily the first time.
Don't let yourself get frustrated -- I strongly suggest working with
others and seeking help if you need it.
- In many more traditional math classes the textbook has a ton of
examples in them. The book we'll be using doesn't. The result is
that students sometimes find the homework to be challenging,
frustrating, and occasionally even annoying. However, I'm convinced
that this style of homework -- where there's not an example just like
the problem you're trying to do -- is much better pedagogically.
You'll learn a lot more this way.
- In addition to me presenting ideas and examples, there will
frequently be problems to work on in small groups in class. Use this
time well -- it is a chance to try out some ideas and get on the right
track before starting the homework.
- I will make a 10-15 minute video that you will need to watch
before each class. I will try to get the video posted at least a day
in advance. The idea is that if you watch the video beforehand I can
spend less time lecturing and we will have more time in class to
discuss interesting problems and work together in groups. This is the
first time I've tried something like this, but I'm pretty confident
that it will work well.
- You may need to read the textbook in order to do some of
the homework. I won't be able to cover everything in class, or
you might wish to see a topic explained in a different way.
- I very strongly recommend getting your own copy of the textbook.
I think you'll learn more if you have your own copy to take notes in
and always have with you when you're doing problems.
- This class is a lot of work, but the work is fairly steady from
week to week.
- There are four parts to the class, each with a distinct
feel.
- Review of functions. This may seem both too slow and too fast
at the same time. The last week of this part of the class is always
difficult. Experience has shown, however, that the review of
functions is definitely worth it. It is essential for the rest of
the course.
- Introduction to the derivative. Here we will learn what the
derivative is and what it means. This is more conceptual and
sometimes seems odd to those used to less conceptual and more
algebraic ways of thinking about math.
- Techniques of differentiation. Having learned what the
derivative is, we now learn lots of short cuts to calculate it.
This part of the class is the most traditional, in that you'll learn
some formulas and techniques, and then do lots of practice of those
techniques.
- Applications of derivatives. Here we will learn several different ways derivatives get used. This is the most applied part of the course. It is somewhat more difficult, but most students find it the most interesting, too, and a good way to end the class.
- Review of functions. This may seem both too slow and too fast
at the same time. The last week of this part of the class is always
difficult. Experience has shown, however, that the review of
functions is definitely worth it. It is essential for the rest of
the course.