MATH 180 Section 201 Workshops

Workshop Solutions

• Workshop 1
• Workshop 2, Workshop 2 Quiz
• Workshop 3, Workshop 3 Quiz
• Workshop 4, Workshop 4 Quiz
• Workshop 5
• Workshop 6, Workshop 6 Quiz
• Workshop 7, Workshop 7 Quiz
• Workshop 8, Workshop 8 Quiz
• Workshop 9, Workshop 9 Quiz
• Workshop 10
• Workshop 11
• Workshop 12

Workshop Overview

The weekly workshops are 80 minutes long and start the second week of classes. There are 12 workshops. The workshops are an important learning element in the course. Problem sets and solutions will be posted after all workshops for a given week are complete; see the links immediately below.

The primary activity in the workshops is working on weekly Practice Problems, using prepared problem sets. The activity is to be done in groups, and is to be facilitated rather than tutored. In addition to this group work, in most workshops students will individually work on a Problem to Hand In at the end of the workshop.

Two TAs, one a graduate student and one an undergraduate, lead the workshops. They do not tutor, but rather they facilitate.

Workshop Learning Goals

1. Actively think about and solve problems involving calculus
2. Interact with peers to discuss mathematics and problems involving mathematics
3. Learn how to evaluate your own work and become more self critical
4. Receive feedback to help identify possible weaknesses for home study
5. Practice computational skills necessary to solve problems involving calculus
6. Acquire and reinforce basic problem-solving skills including reading problems carefully and writing down information contained in the problem as a prelude to solving the problem

Workshop Details

Groups have three or four students each. They are formed at the start of term and then generally remain intact through the remainder of the term. Groups work on blackboards. Students in each group take turns writing at the blackboard, and are not sitting down and working individually.

The workshop grade component is based on group participation and performance on the Quizzes. Effort rather than a correct answer is the main criteria for earning thse marks. Click here for details on how workshop grades are computed.

The 80 minutes for each workshop are usually broken down as follows:

• 65 minutes for groups working on the Practice Problems
• 15 minutes for students working individually on the Quizzes

There will be no Quiz at the first or last workshop or at one midterm workshop in which a survey will instead be administered.

Workshops Tips

1. The relevant facts will be covered in class before you come to your weekly workshop. To take full advantage of the workshop, review your notes from class and/or the textbook before coming to your workshop. The workshops are your chance to practice working on new problems, not to learn the basic material or work on homework problems. But do try some homework problems on the relevant material before your workshop. The better prepared you are, the more you will get out of the workshops.
2. The workshops are not a replacement for homework. In addition to attending the workshops, you must conscientiously work on the homework your instructor assigns in order to do well in the course. Participating fully with your group in the workshops should make it easier for you to solve problems yourself on homework assignments and exams.
3. Remember: the point of the workshops isn’t getting the final answer correct. It is the process of actively engaging in problem solving with your peers. This process will help you more than simply being told how to solve problems by your instructor or TA. Mathematical problem solving is a skill that is best learned by doing rather than watching.
4. Relax and make the most of this experience. It’s probably different from anything you’ve done in the past and may seem daunting at first. Once you get the “hang” of it, you’ll find the workshops a rewarding, fun activity, just like the thousands of students who’ve done these workshops in past years. Who knows, maybe you’ll even want to volunteer to become a TA next year!

Go to main Math 180 Section 201 page.