Interactive Courses for Applied Calculus and Finite Mathematics
Nathan Ritchey • Brian Rickard • Roneet Merkin • Darin Kapanjie • Katharine Fisher
Learning Path
A section-level learning path guides students. They LEARN by working through the Video-Guided Learning Assignments, then PRACTICE with the accompanying homework assignment.
Video-Guided Learning Assignments
Short videos, assessment exercises and occasional text-only screens summarize key ideas. Activity reports to the MyLab gradebook, so instructors can monitor student progress through the course.
Videos
Videos — the core of both Interactive Courses — are authored and narrated by mathematicians who are active in the classroom. Each has extensive experience teaching these classes using video pedagogy.
Section Homework
Prebuilt, editable Homework Assignments allow students to practice what they’ve just learned.
Learning Worksheets
Learning Worksheets can be used for independent study, group work, and active learning within the class.
Note-Taking Guide
The Note-Taking Guide aligns to Video-Guided Learning Assignments, ensuring students are engaged in the learning process. The Note-Taking Guide can be used as a study guide for homework and exams.
Integrated Review
Prebuilt, assignable quizzes in Integrated Review assess the skills needed for each chapter, with personalized remediation for skills gaps — ensuring each student receives just the help they need.
Interactive Figures
Interactive Figures illustrate key concepts and allow manipulation; they are designed for instruction and for students to use independently.
Implementation Guide
The Implementation Guide provides course set-up and activity suggestions for multiple course formats:
- Traditional lecture-based
- Hybrid or online
- Flipped classes
Nathan P. Ritchey
Kent State University
Interactive Finite Math & Interactive Applied Calculus
Nathan P. Ritchey earned a BA in Mathematics with a minor in Music from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. He earned an MS in Applied Mathematics and a PhD in Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University. He is former chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Youngstown State University and is currently a professor in the Department of Mathematics at Kent State University. He has published articles in economics, honors education, medicine, mathematics, operations research, and student recruitment. Nate is a Consultant/Evaluator for the North Central Association Higher Learning Commission and regularly participates in program evaluations.
Brian Rickard
University of Arkansas
Interactive Finite Math
Brian Rickard earned a BS in Mathematics, MEd in Higher Education, and PhD in Educational Statistics and Research Methods at the University of Arkansas. In 2009 he joined the faculty of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas, where he is a Teaching Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Finite Mathematics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. He conducts research in undergraduate mathematics education and university tutoring centers.
Roneet Merkin
Florida International University
Interactive Finite Math
Roneet Merkin earned a BA in Mathematics from Barnard College and an MS in Mathematics from City College of New York. She joined the faculty at Florida International University in 2014, where she is currently an Instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics as well as Program Director for the Mastery Math Lab. In 2015 she redesigned FIU's online Finite Math course, and in 2016 she co-designed their hybrid Finite Math course. Additionally, Roneet has helped transform several of FIU's 1000-level courses into inquiry-based, active learning courses. She has written over 100 conceptual questions currently in use in Pearson's Finite MyLab Math course by Lial/Greenwell/Ritchey. Roneet's passion is not just teaching math, but making math more teachable.
Nathan P. Ritchey
Kent State University
Interactive Finite Math & Interactive Applied Calculus
Nathan P. Ritchey earned a BA in Mathematics with a minor in Music from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. He earned an MS in Applied Mathematics and a PhD in Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University. He is former chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Youngstown State University and is currently a professor in the Department of Mathematics at Kent State University. He has published articles in economics, honors education, medicine, mathematics, operations research, and student recruitment. Nate is a Consultant/Evaluator for the North Central Association Higher Learning Commission and regularly participates in program evaluations.
Darin Kapanjie
Temple University
Interactive Applied Calculus
Darin Kapanjie, who joined the Fox School of Business at Temple University in 2003, is committed to teaching beyond the physical classroom. He is known for using cutting-edge teaching technologies and was an early adopter of innovative collaborative technologies. He is the strategic thought-leader and driver behind the Fox Online experience — a top-notch, easy-to-navigate, and robust online platform that puts the student at the center. Grounded in research-driven pedagogical practices, Darin is leading higher education to support the Millennial experience.
Katharine Fisher
University of Toledo
Interactive Applied Calculus
Katharine Fisher has taught mathematics at the college level for over 25 years in the United States and Canada, and is now Senior Lecturer at the University of Toledo. When asked to develop a technology-rich applied calculus course for her university almost a decade ago, she produced hundreds of videos to integrate into her classes, earning enthusiastic student response. She has taught Calculus in multiple course formats including hybrid, lab-based, online, and traditional lecture environments. In 2016 she received her college’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Interactive Finite Mathematics
View the comprehensive table of contents.
1. Linear Functions
2. Systems of Linear Equations and Matrices
3. Linear Programming: The Graphical Method
4. Linear Programming: The Simplex Method
5. Mathematics of Finance
6. Logic
7. Sets and Probability
8. Counting Principles: Further Probability Topics
9. Statistics
10. Markov Chains
11. Game Theory
R. Algebra Reference
Interactive Applied Calculus
View the comprehensive table of contents.
1. Linear Functions
2. Nonlinear Functions
3. The Derivative
4. Calculating the Derivative
5. Graphs and the Derivative
6. Applications of the Derivative
7. Integration
8. Further Techniques and Applications of Integration
9. Multivariable Calculus
R. Algebra Reference
“The whole experience is supportive, encouraging, and a confidence builder.”
—Karla Karstens, Instructor, University of Vermont
“The videos are well done. They are narrated clearly and are not boring in any way. The language used is not intimidating and uses down-to-earth words. I especially like how the videos can point out key concepts and also key pitfalls.”
—Karen Pace, Instructor, Tarrant County College
“You can read how something is supposed to be done, but it’s nothing like having somebody actually explain it to you and show you.”
—Kay-Elle Clermont, Student, Seminole State College
Where Do We Go From Here
Dr. Brian Rickard, University of Arkansas and Roneet Merkin
Dr. Rickard discusses the classroom changes prompted by COVID-19 — and how we can use this restart as an opportunity to rebrand the classroom into what we want it to be.
Date: September 14, 2021
Online Teaching: Beyond “Making it Work”
Dr. Brian Rickard, University of Arkansas
Explore online teaching strategies, ways to engage and support students, and technology options for making it all happen.
Recorded on: July 28, 2020
Transforming Applied Calculus with Video
Katharine Fisher and Darin Kapanjie
Professors Katharine Fisher and Darin Kapanjie share their experiences incorporating video into their applied calculus classes.
Recorded: March 26, 2020
Trying the Trends: Flipped, Hybrid, Online, Video, Clickers, and More
Dr. Brian Rickard, University of Arkansas
Dr. Brian Rickard tried all the technologies to discover if they really work.
Recorded: October 7, 2019
View transcript