In short, the change process has been successful. The process of change is still ongoing because of the involvement and ownership of the faculty, the consensus building across the institution, and the constant communication across disciplines. Faculty members have the sense that the change occurred because it was needed and the reform helps the students learn better. Further, student and faculty benefit in the enhancement of the relevance of mathematics, in a better connected and coordinated curriculum, in opportunities for extensions beyond the current content, and for a comprehensive educational experience. Interdisciplinary Lively Applications Projects are small group projects developed with partner disciplines that use mathematics.
Students benefit from small-group projects, because they cooperate rather than compete.
Students work together to formulate and solve problems rather than being compared individually against a standard. Communication is obviously enhanced through group work. Students feel more open to trying ideas out. Mathematical modeling and scientific problem solving are two of the hardest tasks for students to learn, and the group gives a good forum for evaluating and improving on informed conjectures. Further, ILAPs encourage the use of computer or calculator technology in the modeling, solution, and presentation processes.