Author:  Kathleen Renz

Seminar: A Visual Approach to Learning Math

The objective of this unit is to present the differential calculus topic from Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation from the IB curriculum. The primary reference was the Oxford University Press IB textbook, chapter 12. Because of the amount of content, it is imperative to teach effectively and efficiently. The seminar: A Visual Approach to Learning Math focused on using art and animation to clearly illustrate mathematical concepts and to break them down into smaller, easier to understand components.

For example, the project uses animation to illustrate how functions change as we move along their curves, such as illustrating the change in the slope of the tangent line. The format of my project is PowerPoint. Links to videos explaining how to animate within SMART Notebook are included for those who prefer to use SMART Notebook.

After presenting notes and definitions in the first two sections, the chapter’s third section focuses on applying those concepts to optimize values. This unit contains illustrations of example problems so students have a picture to accompany the words in their textbooks. They should serve as a guide for the students and help them develop their own models, diagrams, and illustrations