Frisco ISD offers many different mathematics courses which include Algebra 1&2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, Calculus AB and Calculus BC. While a majority of students will conclude their mathematical academic journey after completing those courses, there are a handful of advanced students who proceed to Calculus 3 offered at Collin College.
Junior John Fu, completed the course in the first semester of the 23-24 school year and found that the class was challenging due the online formatting of the curriculum. For asynchronous online dual-credit classes, it will be up to students to complete all work, assessments, and manage their time.
“It definitely was hard without an instructor,” Fu said. “A lot of it you just end up having to learn on your own. Many of the concepts I learned in Calculus 3, I don’t think they explained very well. You’re building a lot off of Calculus BC concepts and integrating them into more 3D concepts which can make it hard to wrap your mind around.”
Calculus 3 builds on topics from Calculus BC such as vectors, derivatives, and integrals. However, the course will also introduce new and more advanced topics such as three-dimensional coordinate systems. Junior Shaunak Misra, plans on taking the class his senior year but has worries about the course.
“I want to take Calculus 3 because I enjoyed BC and I think it’s going to help further my knowledge in math,” Misra said. “I think not having a teacher will hinder the learning process, because having a teacher helps you learn the material better.”
The course will be better served with an instructor according to junior Amogh Aryan.
“I enjoyed BC and I think taking this class will look good to colleges,” Aryan said. “I personally don’t like the fact that we don’t have a teacher because I want someone there to answer my questions. That in-person communication when learning a topic makes the learning process so much easier rather than just staring at a screen.”
Having the option to take the class is better than the alternative in the eyes of Calculus BC teacher Jennifer Rumery.
“It would be better if it was in person, but I believe that having an option to take Calc 3 for those that are ahead is very valuable, even if it has to be online,” Rumery said. “Students taking Calc 3 online asynchronously are going to have to take advantage of office hours and make study groups. It is a hard course, and not having a teacher to work through problems in real time can be a challenge.”
