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Welcome to the Michigan Program As most of you know, there has been a national movement to "reform" the teaching and content of calculus and precalculus. Michigan's Introductory Mathematics Program is being used as a model for colleges and universities throughout the country. Our program takes a fresh approach which is designed to help students learn to think about the fundamental ideas of mathematics. The texts emphasize the underlying concepts and de-emphasize rote memorization. The concepts are presented from a variety of symbolic, numeric, visual, and verbal points of view. Since our goal is to prepare students for further study in all mathematical subjects, there will be a strong emphasis on mathematics in everyday life and many of the applications will come from the physical and social sciences. We use a teaching style which expands on the traditional lecture format. It incorporates cooperative learning into the classroom and organizes students into homework teams. The focus in our classes is on student learning rather than teaching. The purpose of this guide and our professional development program is to help accustom you to the new program. Throughout the term the instructors will have a weekly staff meeting to share ideas on what is working and what isn't working . Since our program is still fairly new, the courses evolve with each year's infusion of new teachers; we will be counting on you to help us make them successful. Your class is often a student's first experience with a university math course, and the quality of your teaching can make this first experience either rewarding or distressing. In the coming days and weeks we will try to help you master some of the principles and techniques of good teaching, but ultimately your success will depend on your ability to interact productively with your class. Your class will respond to your enthusiasm for the material and to your genuine efforts to help them understand. |