[RUME] Request for collaborators on evaluations of using Maple in Calculus

[Whittaker, David]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for bringing up this important topic.  I think technology has
really changed how I teach mathematics.  For the last year, I have been
using Maple "discovery" labs in my classes.  Luckily, we have 2-hour
blocks twice a week.  During the first block, students work through a
tutorial in Maple (that I wrote) and then during the second block,
students get into groups and create a poster of what they learned (by
answering carefully designed questions on what I call a "post lab").
Then they do a few paper and pencil teamwork problems.  Occasionally, I
will do a very short traditional lecture, but no more than 30 minutes.  

If you are interested in hearing more, let me know.

-david

-----Original Message-----
From: Rume-bounces at betterfilecabinet.com
[mailto:Rume-bounces at betterfilecabinet.com] On Behalf Of Mike May, S.J.
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 9:04 AM
To: Rume at betterfilecabinet.com
Cc: Mike May, S. J.; Russell Blyth
Subject: [RUME] Request for collaborators on evaluations of using Maple
in Calculus

Members of the RUME list,

Dara Sandow suggested I post to this list for requests like this.

I am looking for someone to work with to do an evaluation on the 
effectiveness of
using Maple in teaching Calculus.

A bit of background - I am a faculty member in the Department of
Mathematics and Computer Science at Saint Louis University.  I am also
somewhat
of a technophile.  One of the technologies I have been using for the 
past 10 years
is the commercial CAS (Computer Algebra System) Maple.  I have made 
extensive use of
worksheets, revised through class testing, and collaboration with 
colleagues here
who have used the worksheets in their classes.  Several sets of
worksheets
(Calculus III, Linear Algebra,  Cryptography, Abstract Algebra) are
available
for free download from the Maple Application center.  (I was amazed 
to find out the
other day that the Calculus III worksheets are among the most popular,
with the
complete set downloaded about 250 times in the last 30 days.
http://www.cybermath.com/Applications/app_center_quick_search.aspx?T=D )
With a colleague here I have run an online PREP workshop last summer
concerning using Maple to teach linear algebra.  This summer we are
running
a similar workshop on using Maple to teach multivariable calculus.
http://euler.slu.edu/GrantWebPages/PREP06Calc3Maple/index.html

After all that I received an e-mail from someone at a different
institution
asking if I could point to any literature on the effectiveness of using
Maple
wit regard to student learning outcomes.  Alas, I can't.
(In line with the traditional theoretician-practitioner split, I
continually
try various new things in my teaching, adding what seems to work, but
never
focus on doing the modification as formal publishable research.)

It seems that it would be good to help produce some of that research.
Rather than try to pretend that I because I teach mathematics that I
am ready to do quality research on math education, it seemed better to
find
someone who really does know math research who would be interested
in making this a formal research project.

What I can provide are materials that have been class tested a number of
times
with several instructors and a department where a lot of the faculty are
actively involved in projects with pedagogical innovation. (Existing raw
data
and faculty who will help in gathering more.)

What I need is someone who is interested  in turning this into some 
serious research.

Are any readers of this list interested?

Mike May, S.J.
maymk at slu.edu
mikemaysj at gmail.com
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Saint Louis University


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