How to Succeed in Brief
Calculus, Math 160
Kriloff, Fall, 2007
You will need to work hard and learn a
great deal both during class and outside of class. Expect to
spend 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour spent in class.
College differs from high school in that the pace is faster (perhaps
two to
three
times as fast) and the understanding expected is deeper (beyond working
template problems). Some habits that will help you learn actively
(both in and out of class) and succeed in this course are:
- Read the section before we discuss
it in class. Do
not expect
to understand everything the first time. But reading the material
ahead of time and trying some problems will help you
(1) be familiar with the basic ideas so you can participate
and
understand
more in class, and
(2) identify what you do not understand so you can ask questions in
class or office hours.
- Read productively so you will
understand and retain
the
material better.
As you read, write down all questions you have, observations
you
make, and examples or computations you work out. This should
help you understand and retain the material better. It may also
help
to make outlines, summaries, concept diagrams, or lists of main results
in your own words. Read when you are alert.
- Re-read.
Almost
everyone (including me) finds it
necessary
to read mathematics several times to fully understand it. You
will
understand the material more deeply when you re-read it.
- Focus
on definitions, conclusions, and
methods. Mathematics
is a language and it is absolutely necessary to understand the precise
definitions of key terms. Methods for solving problems
are also crucial, and general results and conclusions are important.
- Form study teams and discuss what
you read and learn
with
others.
Talking to someone about the material will strengthen your knowledge
and
make studying more fun, even if that person is not in the class.
Working together you can get further than you can separately.
- Formulate, record, and ask questions. If
you
work
hard on
a problem yourself and become stuck or do not understand an idea, seek
out help from me, the Math Center, or fellow students. Attempt
assigned
homework early so you have time to ask questions about it.
- Participate actively in group work and
discussion
during
class.
- Take thorough notes in class, using your
own
shorthand
and abbreviations
in order to keep up.
- Learn from mistakes of your own and
others
(including me)
made on homework or in class.
- Be organized, clear, and accurate.
- Work productively by developing efficient
and effective
study and problem solving skills. Work 9 hours per week (on
average)
on the course outside of class time. Doing this by spending 1-1.5
hours on reading, doing problems, and reviewing old material every day
is more productive than putting in all of the time once or twice a
week. Keep a time log of how
you spend each half hour of the day for a couple weeks to become more
aware
of your use of time.
My Job: I see my most important responsibility to be facilitating
the learning process by providing structures that encourage active
learning,
explanations, examples (both of the material and of the learning
process),
enthusiasm,
and encouragement. I plan to be prepared, patient, available,
approachable,
and fair.
I look forward to a successful and rewarding semester of
learning
together!