PROCEEDINGS OF THE 15TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION (Vol 1)
2012
Portland, Oregon
Reading Comprehension of Series Convergence Proofs in Calculus II
Page: 1-300
This study is a teaching experiment investigating the effect of reading assignments in Calculus II on student performance. Students from a test section and a control section of Calculus II taught during a summer semester were compared. Both sections used traditional lecture methods, the same on-line homework assignments, and common exams. In one section the students completed additional reading assignments with open-ended questions and in-class quizzes evaluating reading comprehension. The study compares student performance on the common exam covering series convergence and the level of writing fluency in student’s written arguments on this exam. In addition, four interviews from comparable students, two in each section, were conducted to investigate the ways in which they read, comprehend, and create a series convergence argument.