Progress in mathematics frequently occurs first by studying particular examples and then by generalizing the patterns that have been observed into far-reaching theorems. Similarly, in teaching mathematics one often employs examples to motivate a general principle or to illustrate its use. This volume uses the same idea in the context of learning how to teach: By analyzing particular teaching situations, one can develop broadly applicable teaching skills useful for the professional mathematician. These teaching situations are the Case Studies of the title.

Just as a good mathematician seeks both to understand the details of a particular problem and to put it in a broader context, the examples presented here are chosen to offer a serious set of detailed teaching issues and to afford analysis from a broad perspective.

Each case raises a variety of pedagogical and communication issues that may be explored either individually or in a group facilitated by a faculty member.

The methodology of Case Studies is widely used in areas such as business and law. The consideration of the mathematics cases presented here will help readers to develop teaching skills for their own classrooms.

See the faculty edition at Teaching Mathematics in Colleges and Universities: Case Studies for Today's Classroom: Faculty Edition

This series is published in cooperation with the Mathematical Association of America.

Readership

Advanced undergraduates, graduate students, research mathematicians and mathematics teachers.

Reviews

"It will be specially useful to graduate students who are TAs or will be college teachers. The option of this volume was to present fourteen case studies ... `of common teaching situations' ... these teaching exercises are valuable and the project was very carefully conducted."

-- Zentralblatt MATH

"By analyzing particular teaching situations, one can develop broadly applicable teaching skills useful for the professional mathematician."

-- FIZ Karlsruhe

Table of Contents

• Introduction

• Changing sections
• Emily's test
• Fundamental problems
• Making the grade (College algebra version/Calculus I version/Multivariable calculus version)
• Making waves
• Order out of chaos
• Pairing up
• The quicksand of problem four
• Salad days
• Seeking points
• Study habits
• Studying the exam (College algebra questions/Calculus II questions/Multivariable calculus questions)
• There's something about Ted
• What were they thinking?