Guidelines for Exercise and Modeling Assignments

Each time you are asked to work an assigned exercise, focus not only on solving the problem, but also on how you solve the problem. While you are working on the problem, keep notes on any difficulties you faced, false starts you made, and what led you to trying the approach you used. If you are able to solve the problem, clearly state your conclusion and explain why you think your approach works. If you feel you cannot solve the problem, describe in detail the process you used in attempting to find a solution. In either case, write a complete narrative telling the story of your attempt, successful or not, to solve the problem. Pretend that you are writing the narrative for another student who is confused by the problem and would like to know how you solved it.  In addition, when writing up modeling problems, demonstrate use of the problem solving steps we use in mathematical modeling exercises.  (See http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~dccathcart/modeling.htm)

Guidelines for the Mathematical Modeling Portfolio

As you work through this course, develop a mathematical modeling portfolio. Design your portfolio to accomplish three purposes:

1) to provide samples of your, and your groups', best work in problem solving, mathematical modeling,  and mathematical communication,
2) to demonstrate that you can employ the course guidelines for fitting a model to data, and
3) to indicate the range and quality of the mathematical skills, concepts, and appreciations you have acquired.

The contents of your portfolio should include the following - all listed in a table of contents:

1) some "best pieces" of your group work in this course including the solution, the work involved, and some brief introductory comments;
2) a collection of some pieces of your best individual work for this course along with some brief introductory coments;
3) some non-graded, but worked-out, assigned exercises with some brief introductory comments;
4) a letter to the instructor.

The criteria below will guide the assessment of your portfolio.

Problem Solving/Modeling. How well does the student (group) understand and approach the problem? How does the student (group) solve the problem? Why does the student (group) solve/approach the problem in a particular way? What observations, connections, and generalizations does the student (group) make about the problem?  In the case of modeling exercises, does the student/group demonstrate use of the expected steps in building or fitting a model?

Communication. What terminology, notation, and symbols does the student (group) use to communicate his or her (its) thinking? What representations (graphs, charts, tables, diagrams, pictures, manipulatives) does the student (group) use? How clear is the student's (group's) communication of his or her (its) thinking and problem solving?

Link to the scoring rubric for the modeling portfolio.

Guidelines for Interpreting Grades on Written Work

5, Excellent. Your responses to the assigned exercises/problems are correct and complete and you have clearly and correctly communicated the processes and techniques used to solve the exercises/problems. The paper is near, attractive, and well-organized and you have included appropriate diagrams, identified all variables introduced, and clearly stated, and verified, your conclusions.

4, Good. Your responses are reasonably correct and complete and your explanations of the processes and techniques used are fairly clear. However, some aspect may not be as complete, correct, clear, neat, or well organized as possible.

3, Satisfactory. Some of your responses may not be complete in some aspect, or have some errors, or lack clarity or supporting evidence. However, you do seem to understand most aspects of the assignment and posses most of the skills necessary to complete the assignment.  Perhaps your work is not as neat and well organized as it should be.

2, Needs Improvement. Your responses are incomplete, unclear, lacking in style, or some major errors exist.

1, Unsatisfactory.  You have not completed the assignment in a manner consistent with the guidelines.  However, it looks like you have tried to do some of the assigned exercises.

0, Unsatisfactory.  Does not meet minimum acceptable standards for evaluation.  Paper not evaluated.