Date of Award:
8-2020
Document Type:
Dissertation
Degree Name:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department:
Mathematics and Statistics
Committee Chair(s)
James S. Cangelosi
Committee
James S. Cangelosi
Committee
David E. Brown
Committee
Nathan Geer
Committee
Zhaohu Nie
Committee
Beth MacDonald
Abstract
The use of precise language is one of the defining characteristics of mathematics that is often missing in mathematics classrooms. This lack of precision results in poorly constructed concepts that limit comprehension of essential mathematical definitions and notation. One important concept that frequently lacks the precision required by mathematics is the concept of function. Functions are foundational in the study undergraduate mathematics and are essential to other areas of modern mathematics. Because of its pivotal role, the concept of function is given particular attention in the three articles that comprise this study.
A unit on functions that focuses on using precise language was developed and presented to a class of 50 first-semester calculus students during the first two weeks of the semester. This unit includes a learning goal, a set of specific objectives, a collection of learning activities, and an end-of-unit assessment. The results of the implementation of this unit and the administration of the assessment indicated that when students were able to construct the concept of function themselves and formulate a formal definition, they had a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the concept.
In order to demonstrate its validity, the assessment was analyzed as to its relevance, reliability, and its test items' effectiveness in discriminating between different levels of achievement. The results of this analysis indicated that the assessment was relevant to both the mathematical content and learning levels indicated by the unit's objectives and had a high level of reliability. Additionally, the test items contained in the assessment had a reasonable level of effectiveness in discriminating between different levels of student achievement.
Checksum
6deb171ff2ec6a74ee8c445ccaf45b1f
Recommended Citation
Harkness, Derrick S., "Teaching Students to Communicate with the Precise Language of Mathematics: A Focus on the Concept of Function in Calculus Courses" (2020). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 7852.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7852
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