Computer Enhanced Calculus at the University of Connecticut

W. J. Wickless

University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
USA

ABSTRACT

From 1988 to the present, a group of faculty (J. Hurley principal investigator, R. Hansell, A. Stein, C. Vinsonhaler, W. Wickless) at the University of Connecticut has been working on an improved calculus course (supported by NSF grants DMS-8852395, USE-9153270, DUE-9252463 and the State of Connecticut Dept. of Higher Education High-Technology Program). The first component of this enhanced course is a computer lab, based on simple, locally written True BASIC programs. We have integrated the lab into our weekly syllabus. As a second component we created a series of Hypercard units for self-paced study. A third component is the employment of some group learning activities.

In close cooperation with a group of Connecticut high school mathematics teachers, we are adapting the course for presentation in UConn's high school co-op program. Our course is now in its seventh year at UConn and in its second year at twelve selected high schools.

I will show our course organization, sample programs and program output, a locally produced instructor's lab manual and student worksheets, student projects and high school teachers' journals concerning their teaching experiences in this new course. We also have some preliminary statistics on the effectiveness of this course versus the traditional one.

Keyword(s): calculus, computer labs