During this week-long mini-course, we approached Calculus from and
intuitive and philosophical perspective. We used a motion detector
to find derivatives and integrals "by graph" instead of
computationally. We also explored Xeno's paradoxes, discussed
properties of real, rational, and natural numbers, considered
Berkeley's criticisms of Calculus as initially formulated by Newton
and Leibniz, and explored how Cauchy's introduction of limits
resolved these difficulties.
We invited a group of representatives from the IUSB Math Department,
the IUSB School of Education, and the South Bend Community School
Corporation to join in a conversation about the current state of
teacher preparation in mathematics in our community.
During the 2009--2010 academic year, Dr.~Julie Turner, a professor
of psychology at Notre Dame is training middle school teachers at
Grissom Middle School to use principals of motivation theory to
improve student engagement. Dr.~Amanda Serenevy served as a math
content specialist to help plan these trainings during Dr.~Turner's
May planning session.
