Using a computer for math Graham Seibert Copyright 2006 This is a segment of the draft version of a large syllabus. I need your feedback to improve it. There is a voice recorder capture your suggestions during the presentation.
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 2 Not just doing arithmetic Computation aside, Word and Excel documents can be useful for homework Word fonts and special characters, and Equation Editor, are useful for writing math Excel and drawing packages are useful in teaching for creating visual representations of mathematical processes
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 3 The role of machines of any sort is controversial in teaching math Countries with the strongest math students (Japan, Belgium, Korea) avoid calculators ( Mechanical computation is no substitute for –Learning algorithms –Writing proofs –Developing numerate judgment However, where machines are justified…
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 4 Excel generally beats a calculator You can lay a problem out step by step You can see intermediate results You have access to a huge variety of built-in functions You never have to copy and rekey numbers The program recalculates automatically Excel graphics are more refined and can be captured in documents However….
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 5 Excel has its limitations Graphing calculators more easily handle some algebraic functions Can’t allow computer use on most tests: it would be impossible to control cheating –Consider the issues with programmable calculators There is a fine line between enhancing insight into math and depriving a student of the insights that come with doing it
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 6 Excel graphs Show almost anything, in 3D if necessary Lots of gimmickry to add to visual appeal Copy and paste into Word documents
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 7 Equation Editor Type in all of your math equations Math type is an extra- cost alternative
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 8 Greek letters and math symbols in Microsoft fonts Greek characters are available in most fonts Common math symbols are included in standard fonts; –Insert→Symbol→(scroll down to Mathematical Operators). These are in sequence; look for Character Codes starting with 2200 Many more math symbols are available in Unicode fonts like Arial Unicode MS Type “2200” in here to see math symbols
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 9 Using Excel for classroom illustration of math principles Roll your own calculus: integration the way Newton did itExample Example Illustrating principles of statistics Example Example Using matrix arithmetic to solve simultaneous equations Using Excel Solver to solve systems of equations iteratively
Copyright 2006 Graham Seibert - Math 10 Conclusion This has been mainly for teachers If you can use examples like this, I would hope that some students would download the spreadsheets to play with them I have many more examples; ask me