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Re: Programmable Calculator Policies



It has been my experience that what students CAN'T do very well, what we
need to teach and then test, is how to SET UP problems. Our students CAN
do the algebra, trig, and even the calculus (with or without
calculators/computers) fairly well, but for the most part the algebra,
trig, and calculus are not the Physics! I've gone to giving tests where
all I want to see is the integral that would need to be solved and that is
plenty tough and can't be done by the computer.

Rick

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From: Donald E. Simanek <dsimanek@eagle.lhup.edu>

A couple of years ago I visited a sister institution, Mansfield State,
here in PA. Their calculus course was being taught using Mathematica.
Classes were held with each student at a computer with Mathematica on it.

Instructor had a projection system, so all could see it. Instructor could
also eavesdrop on students at work (networked). They did their homework
on
the same workstations. But this is the interesting part: The exams were
given at the same workstations, the exam being a Mathematica document, as
I understand it, with students allowed to use Mathematica to its fullest.

My memory is a bit fuzzy. It might have been Maple they were using. In
any
case, I think this is the sort of thing you are suggesting. Contact the
chairman of Math at Mansfield State U. if you want to know how it worked
out.

-- Donald

......................................................................
Dr. Donald E. Simanek Office: 717-893-2079
Prof. of Physics Internet: dsimanek@eagle.lhup.edu
Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA. 17745 CIS: 73147,2166
Home page: http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek FAX: 717-893-2047
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