The focus on understanding, reasoning, and communication in this course makes class discussion and writing key components of the course. To receive credit for the course, you should have credit for attending 80% of the classes (for the full class period). If you will miss all or part class on a regular basis, you should not take this course this quarter. However, in the event of illness, I will arrange appropriate makeup work. If you are sick, especially if you are sick with the flu, stay home and send me an email (or call me) as soon as possible.
In almost every class, you will work in groups. The goals of groupwork are to hear multiple ideas and approaches; to practice explaining mathematics to others; to ask one of the instructors questions that the group has not been able to figure out; and to make sure everyone in the group understands at least one solution or explanation for the problems you work on. Notice that "getting through all the problems" is not one of the goals. I will often list more problems than I expect you to finish, so that if your group is especially clever that day and finishes the main work early, there is still something productive for you to discuss.
Groupwork papers. Usually we will take attendance by having you turn in a groupwork paper. At the top of the page, list the names of the group members present that day (and, starting with the second class, also your group label). Groupwork instructions should say what work should be written down on the groupwork paper to turn in. (If we forget to tell you, ask!) You may also write down any questions your group had about the work that weren't answered in class, or any comments you had. Be sure to hand your paper to the TA before you all leave class. The TA will look over the groupwork papers to see how each group and the class as a whole handled the work, and may write some comments on the papers. The papers will often (but not always) be returned in your group's "Back" envelope; if they are, read the comments, if any, and ask the TA if you have questions about the comments.
Take turns recording groupwork. Every member of the group should take a turn being the recorder of groupwork during each class session. This gives everyone practice writing up not just their own but other people's ideas. In fact, if you come up with an idea, someone else should write it down. Put your initials at the end of the section you wrote up.
I've moved the summaries of past classes to the announcements section on the course homepage (link below).
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Math 170 Homepage.
Most recently updated on October 15, 2010.