Xref: utzoo sci.math:13908 comp.sys.handhelds:3986 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!quasi-eli!cs.yale.edu!horne-scott From: horne-scott@cs.yale.edu (Scott Horne) Newsgroups: sci.math,comp.sys.handhelds Subject: Re: The use of calculators in teaching calculus Keywords: Calculators, calculus Message-ID: <27597@cs.yale.edu> Date: 5 Dec 90 00:43:51 GMT References: <4608@umbc3.UMBC.EDU> Sender: news@cs.yale.edu Followup-To: sci.math Organization: Yale University Computer Science Dept., New Haven, CT 06520-2158 Lines: 44 Nntp-Posting-Host: jaguar.zoo.cs.yale.edu Originator: horne@jaguar.CS.Yale.Edu In article <4608@umbc3.UMBC.EDU> rouben@math13.math.umbc.edu () writes: > >I would like to hear your thoughts and comments on this. Specifically: > >A - Is the traditional U.S. style of teaching freshman calculus > in need of reform? Perhaps. But not just because some newfangled electronic equipment has come down the pike. >B - Will the use of computer algebra systems (mathematica, maple, > derive, mascsyma, mu-math, etc.) enhance the learning of calculus? No. They are not needed. Nor are any of the programs which supposedly teach calculus. The only advantage they offer is that some people will stay at a computer for longer than they'll stay at a desk with a textbook. Other than that, they're gimmicks. However, at the end of a course, you might like to show your students how wonderfully computer algebra systems can evaluate complicated integrals and other things. (Some might want to buy a copy, particularly if you can get an educational discount for them. I'd like a copy of Derive, but it's too expensive.) >C - Will the use of programmable calculators enhance the learning > of calculus? No, and perhaps it will enhance the non-learning of calculus. Numerical methods, though important and interesting, should not be the focus (or even *a* focus) of your course. >D - Should the cost of the calculator be a factor in deciding whether > to prescribe it as a required tool for enrollment in a course? Calculators are not necessary for learning calculus and hence should not be required. --Scott -- Scott Horne ...!{harvard,cmcl2,decvax}!yale!horne horne@cs.Yale.edu SnailMail: Box 7196 Yale Station, New Haven, CT 06520 203 436-1817 Residence: Rm 1817 Silliman College, Yale Univ Uneasy lies the head that wears the _gao1 mao4zi_.