RUME 14 (Volume 1)
2011
Portland, Oregon
CONCEPTS FUNDAMENTAL TO AN APPLICABLE UNDERSTANDING OF CALCULUS
Page: 50
Calculus is an important tool for building mathematical models of the world around us and is thus used in a variety of disciplines, such as physics and engineering. These disciplines rely on calculus courses to provide the mathematical foundation needed for success in their discipline courses. Unfortunately, many students leave calculus with an exceptionally primitive understanding and are ill-prepared for discipline courses. This study has begun to work with presumed experts (undergraduate mathematics and other discipline faculty members) to develop a small number of prototype tasks that will elicit, document, and measure students’ understanding of a few calculus concepts the faculty participants believe to be essential to successful academic pursuits within their respective disciplines. This paper discusses the data and analysis from the first round of interviews. Implications of these findings for calculus curriculum are presented.