Innovations and Evolution of Large-Enrollment Calculus in Response to the Pandemic

Abstract

We discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on mathematics instruction at a large, public university with a focus on the impact of first-year calculus courses. At this university, many first-year courses are taught in large lectures with accompanying recitations. Due to previous educational initiatives, we were positioned to leverage the transformation required by the sudden switch to online and hybrid teaching. We made substantial and valuable changes, especially around assessment. We also discuss recent innovations to provide additional pathways and support to students identified as at-risk, including the construction of new course sequences for students intending to take calculus.