First year calculus students as in‐class consultants

Abstract

We demonstrate how we use traditional text book calculus problems to involve first year calculus students as consultants. Students are asked to solve a ‘real world’ problem after interviewing ‘guest’ client—a printer. Students go through the initial steps of interviewing client, extracting information, ascertaining the problem, formulating the problem, solving the problem, and writing up two ‘solutions'—one is a step by step solution for the client and the second is a technical support document for the ‘senior consultant’. This description can serve as a model for further student involvement with fresh approaches to applications of the calculus.