A growing body of research supports writing as a means to learn mathematics. Although introductory courses have benefited the most from the spread of this mode of learning, writing may be promoted in advanced courses. This paper reports on writing tasks in a complex analysis course where the primary goal was for students to investigate…

Covariational reasoning has been the focus of many studies but only a few looked into this reasoning in the polar coordinate system. In fact, research on student's familiarity with polar coordinates and graphing in the polar coordinate system is scarce. This paper examines the challenges that students face when plotting polar curves using the…

Research on writing in mathematics has shown that students learn more effectively in an environment that promotes this skill and that writing is most beneficial when it is directed at the learning aspect. Writing, however, necessitates proficiency on the part of the students that may not have been developed at earlier learning stages. Research has…

The study of Maclaurin and Taylor polynomials entails the comprehension of various new mathematical ideas. Those polynomials are initially discussed at the college level in a calculus class and then again in a course on numerical methods. This article investigates the understanding of these polynomials by students taking a numerical methods class…

Compiles observations from a multivariable calculus class in which computers were used extensively. Results show that visualization skills can be improved and that students use technology in very innovative ways. (Author/MM)

Calculus has been witnessing fundamental changes in its curriculum, with an increased emphasis on visualization. This mode for representing mathematical concepts is gaining more strength due to the advances in computer technology and the development of dynamical mathematical software. This paper focuses on the understanding of the function and its…

In an attempt to promote the development of understanding over rote memorization, writing in mathematics has received increased attention in recent years. In Calculus, the Rule of Three (based on communicating ideas thorough algebraic, graphical and numerical means) has been replaced by the Rule of Four in which writing plays a central role.…