Promoting Active Learning and Collaboration in Calculus with the Investigative Classroom

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Mathematical Sciences (21). An "investigative classroom" is being established to give students writing space, personal access to Internet connected computers, space for collaborative work, and visual access to a SMART Board. The approach blends active learning, collaborative work among students, instructor led electronic demonstrations, and a minimal amount of lecturing. Instead learning activities are being implemented that exploit a variety of applications-oriented materials developed for calculus I and II over the last eight years under the aegis of NSF and other institutions. Collaborative, investigative exercises that start in class are used to generate longer-term group projects; and a computer algebra system, Maple, and the TI-89 calculator are used as aids to visualization and exploration.