A Math Forum Project

Trigonometry and Calculus Problem of the Week: Mentor Information

I. Goals and Objectives

The Math Forum's Problems of the Week are designed to foster the growth of a mathematics community on the Internet. Mentors contribute to the mathematics community by volunteering to reply to solutions submitted by students. Students discover the joy of exploring challenging math problems with someone outside their regular classroom. Both students and mentors enhance communication skills as they discuss their problem-solving techniques.

II. The Mentors

Mentors for the problem of the week include:

• classes of students with their teachers;
• pre-service teachers;
• college students and professors;
• retirees who like problem solving and communicating with students about mathematics;
• others with a love of mathematics and a willingness to share their experience with students.

Classes or individuals who are mentors will need to have access to the Internet during the week(s) they are mentoring. A Web interface has been designed to aid in managing the submissions and responses. A word of caution: when there are many responses, the week can involve a good deal of work.

Because of the increase in participation over the past year, we are offering limited mentoring this year. We have had as many as 200 submissions during one week, though 100-150 are more typical. When you fill out the Mentor Registration Form you may specify the maximum number of submissions you feel equipped to handle.

We are also looking for "cavalry members." These are people who are willing to support the lead mentors by responding to students on an as-needed and as-available basis. (This means that you'd be welcome to write back to students just about every week, but we might make requests for help when we really need it!)

III.  Benefits for Mentors

There are many reasons why students can profit from being mentors. First, students learn how to create good and interesting problems. Second, they get to see that there can be more than one way to solve many problems. Third, they learn to assess student work and analyze common mathematical errors and misconceptions. Finally, they will use the Internet as a learning and communication tool.

It has been our experience that after they have assessed the work of other students, mentors' own subsequent explanations have shown improvement.

Through the mentoring process teachers and other adults gain practice in assessing student work, are afforded the opportunity to work with different learning styles, and experience teaching in a world-wide environment. Participation can also be used to enhance a professional portfolio.

IV. Responsibilities of Mentors

When you sign up to be a mentor, specific instructions are sent to you. In brief, mentors who wish to be responsible for a particular week are encouraged to find or develop the problem to be used. They will grade and respond to individual student responses, highlight a few student submissions and write summarizing comments.

Teachers who wish to work with their classes should also plan to spend time developing an assessment rubric with their students.

Cavalry members are only responsible for grading and responding to individual student submissions.

V.  Other help needed

If you would like to be a part of the Trigonometry and Calculus Problem of the Week but don't have the time to commit to being a mentor, we are always in need of good problems. Send your problem suggestions to Lisa at webmaster@mathforum.org . For an idea of the types of problems we have used in previous years, check out some of our past problems.

VI.  Rewards for Mentor Groups

A biography of the current mentor group will appear each week linked to the Trigonometry and Calculus Problem of the Week Web page. Photographs and links to school Web pages may be included when available. In addition, mentors will receive letters of recognition and certificates.

VII.  Online Registration

If you are ready, you may complete the Online Registration Form now. Please check our Problem of the Week calendar and consult your school calendar before you select your preferred dates.

VIII.  Contact Person

If you have any questions or comments after reading the information or at any time during the mentoring process, please contact Lisa:

Lisa Lavelle <webmaster@mathforum.org >
Trig/Calc Problem Project Coordinator
The Math Forum

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