PROCEEDINGS OF THE 20TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2017
San Diego, California
Calculus students’ meanings for average rate of change
Page: 1571
This study considers calculus students’ conceptualization of average rate of change at a private liberal arts college in the Midwest. Researchers have indicated that undergraduate students do not develop productive meanings for average rate of change. In order to explore undergraduate students’ meanings for average rate of change further, we conducted clinical interviews with 10 undergraduate students on a four-item test. Participants were undergraduate students taking Calculus 1 at the time of the study. Interviews were conducted towards the end of the semester to ensure students have learned average rate of change. Qualitative techniques were used to analyze data. We will present and interpret data highlighting the techniques used by the students during the tasks. We will conclude with implications from our findings and questions for future research.