[MATHEDCC] Re: Math Software and technology in the classroom

Srchandler (Srchandler@AOL.COM)
Wed, 10 Dec 1997 13:20:14 EST

(All of the statements below are my opinion. Others have the right to
disagree.)
I have to _agree_ with all the people who have said *Derive is the best*.
When Mathematica was still for Macs, our Learning Lab had state of the art
PC's at the time. We bought Mathematica for the PC (before it had been made
for Windows). Remembering all the specially written statements to make
Mathematica run something was like learning a computer language. The book was
like a text manual for a college level course. Even the Windows version isn't
much better. One still has to remember the exact way to phrase something.
And the last version I used was case sensitive.

Derive on the other hand (in this pre-Window's world) was great. It had a
menu at the bottom of the screen and was very user friendly. The graphs were
easy to print then.

I haven't had a chance to use the Derive for Window's but I've heard nothing
but good things about it. And the fact Texas Instruments and Derive have
combined for the TI-92 makes a great way to learn that calculator. I have a
TI-92 and bought it before I bought my TI-83. I'd have to say the TI-92 is
better and easier to use. I can take my Derive knowledge and solve everything
I've tried so far. It's like a mini math computer. I made it from my first
college algebra class all the way through my Master of Science with a TI-35
Galaxy Solar, couldn't afford the graphing calculators that were just coming
out as I was earning my Master's. I had to remember all the graphs and their
corresponding equations, 2D and 3D. I would have loved to had a graphing
calculator, I could have paid more attention to understanding than just
remembering what graphs looked like. I am very much an applied mathematician.
I believe in taking the technology and using it. When I am talking to my
students I stress the applied, but I also use proofs. Each class is different
as well as each student. When I find student's who want to understand the
why's and how's of mathematics or even the history of mathematcs, I stress to
them courses they can take as electives (if their major is not mathematics)
that will tell them all this. And then explain why in one semester of college
algebra, every proof cannot be explored. (Time constraints.)

I strongly recommend TI-83's to my students who are going on to careers in
mathematics fields, (engineering, etc). I use the TI-83 in the classroom,
especially in my Precalculus classes. I, also, tell them to save their money
so they can get a TI-92 by the time they graduate to use in their profession.

S. R. Chandler
****************************************************************************
* To post to the list: email mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu *
* To unsubscribe, send mail to: majordomo@archives.math.utk.edu *
* In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe mathedcc *
* Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! *
* Archives at http://archives.math.utk.edu/hypermail/mathedcc/ *
****************************************************************************