Do your students possess the background skills required to complete
the module?

       Key topics: 1) What is a polynomial function?
                          2) How do you use the slope-intercept form of a line to find its x-
                           and y-intercepts? 
                          3) How do you find the derivative of a polynomial function and
                           how do you use it to find the slope of the function at a specific x-value?

      Others have found it useful to ask questions such as the following:
                          1) What do my students know about polynomial functions ?
                                    What should they know ?
                          2) Are the students familiar with the slope-intercept form of a line?
                              Can they use it to locate the x-intercept of the line?
                          3) Can the students find the derivative of a polynomial function and
                              evaluate it to find the slope at a specific point?
 
 

        Model of  the Student
                 ( the following information pertains to students at Morehouse College;
                   others have found it helpful to create a model of their students)
        Most are African-American males (some are from
        Africa, some are from the Caribbean Islands) of
        traditional college age(18-22).
                Most are mathematics, science, business,
        engineering, or computer science majors.
                The students possess a wide variety of math
        backgrounds, ability levels, and motivational levels.
                Some are from private schools most are not.
                Most  have prior experience with calculators and/or
        computers, some do not.
                Some have taken calculus in high school, some have
        not.
                Some arrive at analysis 1 by placement test, some by
        transfer, some by completing the prerequisite course.