Background/purpose: This study aims to analyze students' ability to solve differential calculus problems in relation to their prior mathematical knowledge (PMK). Materials/methods: A qualitative research design method was employed. Participants in this study were 103 third-semester students at the university enrolled in the Differential Calculus…

This study investigated two undergraduate mathematics students' meanings for derivatives of univariable and multivariable functions when creating linear approximations. Both participants completed multivariable calculus at least two semesters prior to participating in a sequence of four to five exploratory teaching interviews. One purpose of the…

A standard element of the undergraduate ordinary differential equations course is the topic of separable equations. For instructors of those courses, we present here a series of novel modeling scenarios that prove to be a compelling motivation for the utility of differential equations. Furthermore, the growing complexity of the models leads to the…

Several studies indicate that exploring mathematical ideas by using more than one approach to prove the same statement is an important matter in mathematics education. In this work, we have collected a few different methods of proving the multinomial theorem. The goal is to help further the understanding of this theorem for those who may not be…

Calculus has long been known as a "gateway course" to STEM fields in postsecondary education. To moderate this gatekeeping effect, Montclair State University researchers developed a peer-led, inquiry-based instructional support (IBIS) to run parallel to Calculus classes. The design of the IBIS model was informed by an instructional…

In this case study, we investigate how an inquiry-oriented interactive calculus textbook supported one U.S. college instructor's classroom teaching. We utilized analytical inquiry-oriented frameworks on observation data from a small classroom to capture textbooks' influence on the instruction conceptualized by the Teacher-Mathematics-Student face…

With a focus on related rates problems, the present study reports on quantitative and covariational reasoning opportunities provided by five widely used calculus textbooks in the United States. There are three major results from this study. First, quantitative reasoning opportunities are plentiful, while covariational reasoning opportunities are…

Writing-related activities have long been identified as supporting students' mathematics mastery and overall math success (Bahls, 2012). To further understand student experiences using writing in college math coursework, the present mixed-methods study explored the perceptions of a group of students (N = 55) in Multivariate Calculus who…

Knowledge required to teach mathematics at the university level is a current and relevant research topic in Mathematics Education. Thus, the case study presented in this article pertains to one mathematics lecturer whose knowledge is examined focusing on his delivery of a Multivariable Calculus course. The data required were gathered via classroom…

A productive understanding of rate of change concept is essential for constructing a robust understanding of derivatives. There is substantial evidence in the research that students enter and leave their Calculus courses with naive understandings of rate of change. Implementing a short unit on "what is rate of change" can address these…

This brief focuses on the important role that math requirements contribute to inequity in access to college, in particular the value placed on calculus, even though it is not an essential course for students who are seeking non-STEM degrees. The boost earned by students who are fortunate enough to have access to calculus, a benefit unequally…

Since Personalized Instruction increases the motivation, interest, performance and attitude of the student, it is aimed to develop an instructional management system that can be adapted to the individual, taking into account the prior knowledge level of the person who provides the personalization of all instructional materials. The project is…

This study explores the effects of a computer algebra system on students' mathematical thinking. Mathematical thinking is identified with mathematical thinking powers and structures. We define mathematical thinking as students' capacity to specialize and generalize their previous knowledge to solve new mathematical problems. The study was…

The rise of memes has transformed the way people communicate and share information online, presenting a unique opportunity to leverage technology in the service of education. We explore the potential of memes as an educational tool for supporting STEM education and increasing student engagement. We aim to provide a theoretical framework for using…

Mathematical modelling has great potential to motivate students towards studying mathematics. This article discusses several different approaches to integrating research work with a second-year undergraduate, mathematical modelling subject. I found sourcing papers from the areas of epidemiology and ecology to be a fruitful source area,…