Transcript Using Technology as a Teaching/Learning Tool

Using Technology as a
Teaching/Learning Tool
Lawrence E. Levine
Stevens Institute of Technology
US Military Academy,West Point
[email protected]
http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~llevine/
http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~llevine/Boston_syllabus.doc
Levine’s Technology Theorem
Everything works either at home or
in my office, and nothing works
when I present it.
My Background
• Trained as an applied mathematician
• At Stevens since 1968
• Research interests
– Fluid dynamics
– Differential equations
– Perturbation methods
• Department Head for 5 years
• I am not a computer scientist
Achieved Some Fame
• Mathematician trading cards
– http://www.bulletproof.org/math/default.asp
• Larry Levine
– http://golem.math.stevens-tech.edu/fletch/card/
Words of Caution
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Lecture/teaching model still good
Technology will not put us out of business
Use technology only where appropriate
Can add new dimensions to the classroom
Can add new dimensions to student learning
Limitations of Technology
Do not force its use
Some Uses of Technology as a
Learning/Teaching Tool
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Course Web Sites
Scientific Notebook
Teaching with computers
Teaching in a laptop classroom
Mathematical slide shows
Discovering things using technology
Course Web Sites
• All the important information about the course
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Syllabus
Office Hours
Homework assignments
Lecture notes
Old Exams with solutions
Grades
http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~llevine/
Web Site Cautions
• Time considerations in creating a web
site
• Time considerations in maintaining a
web site
• Good support a must
– Undergraduates or graduates
– Clever, deal with technical aspects
Scientific Notebook
• Word processing package with Maple
kernel
• Very user friendly front end
• Type no code
• Clicks
• Interfaces with Web
Teaching with Computers
• Present subject matter easily
• Incorporate demonstrations in the
lectures
• Show students how to use software
• Cautions
– Must be easy to use
– Requires a great deal of good support
The Case for Laptops I
• Faculty must have laptops
– PCs in classrooms not adequate
– Prepare everything before on laptop
– Should be able to come in, plug in laptop and
teach
– Ideally just a little more difficult than using
chalk and a board
Case for Laptops II
• Computer labs expensive
• Students bring lab to classroom
• Incoming student has state of the art
equipment
• Really use technology while teaching
• Opportunity for interaction with and
engagement of students
Teaching Linear Algebra in a
Laptop Classroom I
• Linear algebra with computers
• Students with networked laptops
• Two classrooms in one
– Laptop covers down – ordinary classroom
– Laptop covers up – computer lab
• No written work accepted
• Download SNB notes
• Present some material – laptops down!
Teaching Linear Algebra in a
Laptop Classroom II
• At appropriate points have students do
exercises using SNB
• These were homework problems to be
turned in
• Discuss problem under consideration
• Project screens of students
• Use this alternating format –
lecture/computer
Caveats About Teaching in a
Laptop Classroom
• Can do this only with small classes
– 25 to 30 students
– Perhaps 45 with an Assistant
• Technology questions not simple
– Faculty involved in design of classrooms
– Requires great deal of support
• Expect a good deal of frustration at the
beginning
• Ideally should be able to walk in, plug in
laptop, turn on projector and teach
Teaching Linear Algebra in a
Laptop Classroom III
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Teach mathematics behind the methods
Not just a course in clicking
Reducing matrices to echelon form
Exams
– Two parts – written and computer
– Upload computer part
• Many technical issues!!!
Mathematical Slide Shows I
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http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~llevine/
These use stream technology
How created
Power Point good for creating slides
Then can easily add narration
Real media add-on to convert to real format
Power Point not good for writing math
Mathematical Slide Shows II
• SNB is good for writing math
• Power Point does not read tex files
• Solution
– Prepare math using SNB
– Capture portions of file as graphics files
– Important these graphics files into Power
Point
– Add narration, convert to real format
Discovering Things Using
Technology
• Teaching the Method of Series Solution
• Polynomial solutions of DEs
• Which equations have a polynomial
solution?
• Perturbing the DE
• Using SNB to investigate this
Conclusions
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The world is changing
Technology will become more prevalent
Students must be fluent with technology
Technology opens new horizons
Many approaches
Some good, some not so good
Try new approaches, identify good ones,
develop them
• No small challenge