Presented are five short articles which describe innovations in mathematics teaching. Included are "Polar Summation,""The Age of the Solar System,""Forward Homework--A Motivational Tool,""Trigonometric Identities through Calculus," and "Algorithms for Evaluation of Polynomials." (CW)

Discusses two teaching ideas: (1) copying and distributing anonymous student mathematics homework to the class to increase student responsibility and their ability to communicate and read mathematics, and (2) using maximum/minimum applications of calculus to investigate the most economical dimensions for manufactured metal cans. (MKR)

Provides an overview of an ongoing calculus reform that includes cooperative learning, oral presentations, and long-term student projects. (Author/ASK)

Compares student achievement based upon which calculus program--traditional calculus, Harvard Consortium Calculus, or Calculus Using Mathematica--the student completed. Finds some differences when students took different types of calculus during subsequent terms. Justifies teaching reformed calculus in place of traditional calculus. (Author/ASK)

Describes a scheme for testing and assisting students with the mathematical skills essential for math courses. Discusses the aims and philosophy of the scheme and describes the logistics of running such a scheme. Reviews student performance and discusses those skills that students are strong in or have difficulty mastering. (Author/ASK)

Presents a study on calculus reform that examines how instructional approaches that place different emphases on the use of technology and multiple representations impact undergraduate calculus students' ability to use and understand connections between different representations of concepts. Compares three courses--traditional calculus, calculus…

The approximation of functions such as the sine, cosine, and exponential by polynomials is significant and interesting enough for students to learn about. Presents Maclaurin's theorem, examples employing the theorem, and applications of the theorem. (ASK)

Present a study conducted at The Ohio State University and compares students from the calculus-reform course sequence Calculus and Mathematica with traditional students in two areas: (1) conceptual and procedural understanding of calculus; and (2) achievement in calculus-dependent courses. Investigates student achievement in calculus-dependent…

Describes the specific courses in a sequence along with how the writing has been implemented in each course. Provides ideas for how to efficiently handle the additional paper load so students receive the necessary feedback while keeping the grading time reasonable. (Author/ASK)

Reports on a study replicating and extending a previous study examining the effects of the TI-92 graphics calculator and calculus instruction on students' success in calculus. Finds that students using a TI-92 had significantly better performance on the final exam and overall course grade than students using other calculators, and student-centered…

Discusses the progress and challenges of a new reformed calculus sequence for science, engineering, and mathematics students developed by the Institute of Technology Centre for Educational Programs and School of Mathematics at the University of Minnesota. Compares achievement and retention of Initiative students with a control group from a…

Discusses dialogue journal writing and its incorporation into a college-level Calculus 1 course. Identifies how: (a) e-mail dialogue journals provided a viable means of individualized, continual contact with students in a large class; (b) students benefited from asking questions and receiving timely explanations; and (c) the instructor received…

Outlines an attempt at integrating web-based activities into a precalculus course at a large university in which discussion of the development of the activities is initially provided. Investigates the effects of the use these activities in four classrooms. Focuses on the use of the activities by two instructors, only one of whom received…

Presents a way to examine in depth the polynomial approximation of a transcendental function by using graphing calculators. (ASK)

Studied the use of a Web-based Computer Algebra System called LiveMath in a computer supported collaborative learning environment for differential calculus. Results for one college class from this exploratory study suggest areas requiring further study and identify problems students had with the "WebCal" system, including the perception that they…