Electronic Proceedings of the 12th Asian Technology Conference in Mathematics

 

 

      Abstract for 13018

            MuPAD for the Classroom - A Discussion on Using Computer Algebra

            Systems in Teaching Mathematics

            Authors: Miroslaw Majewski

            Affiliations: New York Institute of Technology, Abu Dhabi Campus,

            SciFace GmBH, Paderborn, Germany

            Keywords:

 

            It is well known that Computer Algebra Systems (CAS), for instance

            Mathematica, Maple, MuPAD or Derive, provide computational power to

            solve many mathematical problems faster and more efficiently than

            using the old paper-and-pencil methods. The availability of such

            software and its ability to deal with most undergraduate mathematics

            problems cannot be ignored. A mathematics educator cannot stay

            neutral in this issue. Indeed, the emergence of such software has

            divided mathematics educators into two almost separate groups -those

            who believe that we should use such software in teaching mathematics

            as much as possible, and those who think that we should completely

            avoid technology in mathematics classes.

 

            In this paper we will analyze various points of view on using CAS in

            teaching mathematics. We will show how some of the major concerns

            can be overcome. Finally, we will discuss the MuPAD for the

            classroom project, where the main objective is to develop a

            comprehensive set of materials to help educators incorporate MuPAD

            efficiently into undergraduate mathematics teaching. Most of the

            issues discussed in this paper are related to teaching high school

            mathematics. In a few places we will also consider the university

            point of view. However, it is important to note that in many

            aspects, the CAS situation at the university is quite different than

            in high school.