LEARNING INTEGRAL CALCULUS THROUGH NON-TEMPLATE PROBLEM SOLVING

ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to share a series of problems designed to provide students with opportunities to develop an understanding of applications of the definite integral. The problems require a variety of problem solving strategies. Template solutions, solutions in which students mimic a rehearsed strategy without understanding, are discouraged as the variety of problems helps prevent the construction of a template. The problem series is designed to be incorporated into the integration component of a traditional calculus course. Generally these tasks are suitable for small groups, however, some of the problems are appropriate as test questions where each student works alone. Some tasks require a basic (non-graphing) calculator.