Re: maple or derive

Wayne Mackey (wmackey@COMP.UARK.EDU)
Tue, 21 May 1996 15:33:32 -0600

>On Mon, 20 May 1996, Steve Kraisler wrote:
>
>> I plan to augment my calculus class (inner city high school) with a
>> computer calculus program. Any suggestions on which on I should use?
>
>
>I can't comment on Maple, but we have used Derive here with great success.
>The version (early -- we haven't upgraded in a while) runs with adaquate
>speed on old XTs and can fit on a 360K disk. While it is true that we
>have the equipment to run Windows based programs, I prefer Derive in that
>it is reasonable to assume that even the poorest of our students could
>ponder purchasing a very used XT....... [This is not required as the
>college has adaquate facilities, but it is an option for the students to
>consider as they transfer to 4 year schools.

Here at Arkansas we use lab assignment software for many of the homework
assignments. The students are allowed to take the software home with them
for installation on Windows computers at home or work. We aren't quite
through handing them out yet for the summer Beginning/Intermediate Algebra
classes but so far it looks as if we will have about 50-60% of our students
who have access to a Windows computer. During the spring semester it was
about 40-50% and has been growing like that since we started. I expect to
be within epsilon of 100% in a couple of years.

Wayne F. Mackey
SCEN #301
Univ. of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(501) 575-7661
wmackey@comp.uark.edu
http://comp.uark.edu/~wmackey

Wayne F. Mackey
SCEN #301
Univ. of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(501) 575-7661
wmackey@comp.uark.edu
http://comp.uark.edu/~wmackey