PI Forum WeBWorK Calculus

Contacts: Barbara Margolius, Cleveland State University, b.margolius@csuohio.edu Felipe Martins, Cleveland State University, l.martins@csuohio.edu

Focus area: Calculus Teaching and Learning (in which the WeBWorK system plays a part). WeBWorK is an NSF and Mathematical Association of America supported open source online homework system originally developed at the University of Rochester by Arnie Pizer and Mike Gage and now supported by a group of dedicated developers and used by hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the country and to a lesser extent, throughout the world. This PI Forum will work with calculus educators who use the WeBWorK homework system to allow for easier sharing of ideas that involve homework because the group is already using the same system, but at the same time the group is large and diverse involving all types of institutions of higher learning and some high schools as well.

Ultimate Goal: Improved student understanding of calculus concepts  

Expected Outcomes: shared public space on WeBWorK MAA wiki (url: webwork.maa.org/wiki) dealing with calculus instruction: what works and what doesn't; shared private space available to forum participants for sensitive institution specific materials that may still be of interest to the larger group (eg. I tried this approach and 70% of my students demonstrated little or no understanding of concept x); collection of shared materials with some information on how they are used and with what success (model courses already in the works are an example of this type of material); WeBWorK questions intended for assessment of specific calculus concepts that might be incorporated in traditional WeBWorK assignments and ultimately used in a manner similar to a concepts inventory (allowing programs to assess performance against objective standards and national norms), database of who employs what practices in teaching calculus that can be used for consultation for programs concerning changes: eg who has a coordinated calculus and who not, who has mandatory placement, what placement system is used, are gateway exams employed at your institution, etc.

Recruitment Plans: Recruit through WeBWorK consultants, WeBWorK MAA course email lists.

Meeting Schedule and Tentative Topics: Meeting Topic Date Time Meeting 1 WeBWorK: It’s not (just) for Homework anymore Thursday June 6, 2013 2:00PM-3:30PM Meeting 2 What to share and how to share it Thursday August 8, 2013 2:00PM-3:30PM Meeting 3 Calculus Retention Tuesday September 24, 2013 3:00PM-4:30PM Meeting 4 Placement Testing Tuesday November 19, 2013 4:00PM-5:30PM

Desired Participant Characteristics: Participants should be faculty interested in calculus instruction who use or plan to use the WeBWorK homework system.

Application Process: Those who want to join the forum should email Barbara Margolius (b.margolius@csuohio.edu) or Felipe Martins (l.martins@csuohio.edu). The email should describe how WeBWorK is used at the applicant's institution or what the plans are for its use, and what the applicant hopes to learn or share regarding calculus instruction.