Instructions for the Stage 7 Communication Activity

Back to Stage 7

INSTRUCTIONS FOR

In the section "Consequences of the MVT" in Stage 7 there are several stories which illustrate applications of the Mean Value Theorem. Your assignment for this communication activity is to do four things.

STEP 1: Make up a story problem of the type found in Stage 7. The problem should

Be easy to understand and easy to do.
Illustrate the Mean Value Theorem.
Not be easily done or justified using another theorem such as the Intermediate Value Theorem.

STEP 2: Read, work and critique and MVT problem made up by your partner. In critiquing the problem, use the following criteria and evaluate them as indicated:

Criterion Done Well Done Adequately Needs Improvement

Writing Easily read, grammatically correct, no extraneous information, and clearly stated. Understandable with little effort, some extraneous information is present, writing could be improved. Grammatical and spelling errors detract from intelligibility, problem not clear or misstated, too much extraneous information in problem.

Content Original problem. Good illustration of MVT. Variation on problem from Lesson or other source, illustrates MVT. Borders on plagiarism or fails to illustrate the MVT

Mathematical Design Algebra is straightforward but not completely trivial. Problem works out well and uses the MVT in an essential way. Problem could be done: perhaps messy, perhaps too easy. MVT illustrated. Algebra impossible or completely trivial. MVT misunderstood or not really illustrated.

Criterion	Done Well	Done Adequately	Needs Improvement
Writing	Easily read, grammatically correct, no extraneous information, and clearly stated.	Understandable with little effort, some extraneous information is present, writing could be improved.	Grammatical and spelling errors detract from intelligibility, problem not clear or misstated, too much extraneous information in problem.
Content	Original problem. Good illustration of MVT.	Variation on problem from Lesson or other source, illustrates MVT.	Borders on plagiarism or fails to illustrate the MVT
Mathematical Design	Algebra is straightforward but not completely trivial. Problem works out well and uses the MVT in an essential way.	Problem could be done: perhaps messy, perhaps too easy. MVT illustrated.	Algebra impossible or completely trivial. MVT misunderstood or not really illustrated.

Send your partner your ratings for each of the three criteria above. Make ONE SUGGESTION for improvement in each category, regardless of the rating you gave.

Under no circumstances should you use defensive, abusive, or insulting language in your critique or your response.

STEP 3: Incorporate the suggestions your partner made or, if warranted, explain why the suggestions will not effect an improvement. It is rare that authors are in complete agreement with their editors, but only in exceptional cases should you NOT be willing to make the changes requested.

STEP4: Acknowledge that your partner has made the changes you requested. Usually, this will be a short courtesy note. A more substantial dialogue can be started here, but it will have to be continued using email or other means outside of this communication activity.

Back to Stage 7

TAKE THIS COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY