Calculus Students Teaching Calculus:A Service Learning

ExperienceMelinda Rudibaugh

Mathematics Faculty,Chandler-Gilbert Community College

What is Service Learning? Not volunteerism Tied to the curriculum Requires meaningful reflection and

self-growth

Why? Why not? Had been a founding faculty member

of the service learning initiative at my college while teaching Mathematics for Elementary School seeing the value of “intern”-like experiences

Experimented with other courses: Arithmetic, College Algebra, Differential Equations

This project The right agency partner

Energetic, empathetic, values-based Si Se Puede CEO

The right match for my students Proximity

Details Service Learning Office at my campus is

thorough Documents to do

Information in the Syllabus Directions (explicit) to the site Announcements on Canvas

The Rubric New this year--a great idea from

instructional designer

Criteria 3= Sophisticated 2= Acceptable 1= Needs Work

Attendance Tutor was punctual and arrived before the scheduled time. Attire was appropriate for the audience.

  Tutor arrived late. Attire was not appropriate for the audience.

Style The level of explanation is appropriate for the audience. The pace was appropriate. Tutor uses examples, teaching resources, or communication aids to facilitate understanding. Tutor is clearly comfortable working with the student(s).

A few concepts were not well explained or may be confusing. Tutor could have used a resource or communication aid to further elaborate a few of the concepts. Pacing was a too fast or slow for the student(s). Tutor appeared uncomfortable a few times during the meeting.

Difficult to follow explanation of concepts. Tutor was clearly uncomfortable interacting with the students.

Explanation of concepts

Explanation of math concepts was logical and each step of the process was clearly explained.

A few steps in the process were not included in the explanation or were vaguely described.

The argument and conclusion are not supported.

Demonstrate professionalism and punctuality in working with students.

Explain math concepts in a logical and comprehensive manner that facilitates student understanding.

Use communication aids to elaborate concepts and the math process.

So, REALLY, What Can You Teach?

Algorithms Rules: Power, Product, Quotient,

Chain, Exponential Basics

Graphing, Algebra Plus some physics such as the

relationship of velocity and acceleration to derivatives, limits

What is the Daily Plan? Hope that many calculus students show up—on

time CC students who come regularly have a group

they work with, assign others as best can be done

Must circulate sign-in sheet, make sure each has signed liability form

Monitor CC students, fill out rubric Teach as necessary

Grading NOT extra credit If required—see next slide Contract Grading

“Points is points” 10 points per hour Greatest number of points earned

was 185 points out of 1400 available (grades based on 1000) This student would have had an “A” without SL

IF Required Find multiple sites

Schools need after school tutoring Check out restrictions like

fingerprinting On campus tutoring?

Training became required Specify hour requirements-eight? Be strong (against the whining) Guard against the last minute rush

Points Only? Have there been students who have

gone for points only? Case #1

The stutterer Case #2

The pain

What Happens?#1

#2

#3

#4

#6

#7

The Competition #1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

What Do Students Say?

Specifically describe what you did in your interactions with students at the Calculus Club including the Competition

#1

“I helped…tutor the children at Galveston Elementary with pre-calculus/calculus material. I had lots of interactions with the kids especially during game sessions…such as Jeopardy or bingo.” --TS

#2

“Not only did I learn alongside with the students, but I also enjoyed lunch…times with them.”--JL

#3 “At the beginning, I was set up with a

group of girls. I found the children to be inviting, energetic, and bright.

I started teaching them basic calculus rules and they seemed to pick it up right away for the most part. Some of the girls even already knew the topics I was teaching them.

#3 cont’d Once I got farther into my tutoring I

met some of the other children. During one session, I met a young girl I was particularly impressed with. I was teaching the students the different ways of finding a derivative of a function and she already knew almost all of information I was teaching and could even recall some of it from months before…

#3 cont’d

On one particular day of tutoring, the calculus volunteers helped run a game day. This was fun because on this day the children were able to put all the information they had been learning in a very fun manor.”--TS

What did my students learn about CALCULUS?#1

“I learned calculus is skill. It's something you need to practice over and over to get better. Also, calculus can be very fun and not frustrating. If you put time into studying, and work with others, you can succeed while having a blast learning it.”--VB

#2

“I learned that calculus is very difficult… however, if children can put enough effort into a subject that is way out of their league then there should be no excuse or obstacle as to why a college student cannot…” succeed as well.” --JL

What Did You Learn About Yourself? #1

“I'm not as smart as I think I am. The fact [is] the kids ended up helping me on some of the problems and equations. Also, I never knew it could be so fun being a tutor. It made me feel good inside when I was able to teach one of my kids a math skill they hadn't acquired.” --VB

#2

“That I could do math, which is a huge shocker to me.” --MG

Would You Recommend SL in Calculus? #1

“I would absolutely recommend service learning in calculus because it gives calculus students practice in their foundation and general understanding which I believe, if solid, would help math their rest of their math classes easier to handle. Calculus students are able to deal with handling responsibility, managing a group of kids, and giving back to their community. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching calculus through service learning.” --JT

#2 “I would totally recommend service

learning in calculus. In fact, I'd recommend having at least one mandatory day of service learning. Service learning is inspiring and opens up your eyes to a whole new world of calculus.” --VB

#3 “I would. It definitely boosts your

understanding of the material. If I had not done tutoring I feel as though I would not understand some of the topics as thoroughly as I do. You also can gain valuable volunteer hours, meet some great kids, and also enjoy free pizza!” --TS

#4 “Yes I will definitely recommend service

learning to everyone. Not only will you be a big benefit to knowledge hungry children out there but in the process of teaching them math, you will learn more about yourself. You will learn how well you comply with children and how keen are your math skills. If you were like me and wasn’t on top of every math topic then the weekly session was a great reminder and refresher for those who are like me.”--JL

Anecdotes Scholarships—two large ones

received Student who began attending just for

the points but got “hooked,” volunteered over the summer at a hospital, changed her major to pre-med and is now on her way.

What About the Si Se Puede Kids?

Math grades have gone up Confidence has gone up Interest in and feelings of

accessibility of college have dramatically increased.

Questions I Get EVERY Saturday??? Really?? Do you get paid? Any other teachers involved?

Questions Today?