Mathematics

=Using Computers in Mathematics Teaching=

Computers are becoming increasingly relevant to the teaching of mathematics. Several educational resources exist to enhance the educational experience: • [|Maths 300] • [|NKU Mathematical Education] //Please add further resources and comments.//

Mathematics as a discipline identifies a desperate need for more students to enter mathematical sciences related careers, a fact highlighted in the //[|National Strategic Review of Mathematical Sciences Research in Australia]//. The review indicates a dire shortage of professional statisticians and mathematical modellers exists in Australia. Both of these career paths rely heavily on computational mathematics and, as such, fostering competence in this area throughout secondary school mathematics is essential. It is also an accomplishable feat.

Statistics
TinkerPlots is a software package specifically designed for students in grades 4–8. It is preloaded with data sets (and allows more to be created and entered) and allows students to analyze data by creating colorful visual representations, helping them make sense of data and patterns.

Fathom is a similar package for older students.

Geometry
GeoGebra is a free dynamic mathematics software package that joins arithmetic, geometry, algebra and calculus. On the one hand, GeoGebra is an interactive geometry system. Students can construct geometric objects with points, vectors, segments, lines, conic sections as well as functions and change them dynamically afterwards. GeoGebra has the ability to deal with variables for numbers, vectors and points, finds derivatives and integrals of functions and offers commands like Root or Extremum.

The Geometer's Sketchpad is a similar software with similar capabilities but it not free.

University Tools
Tools such as [|MATLAB] and its open source clone [|SCILAB] are frequently used in university and industry, particularly for engineering and data modeling applications. Though this functionality is beyond the schema of most secondary students, the programs have fantastic built-in, linear algebra and graphics/plotting functionality which would heighten the learning experience where introducing quadratics, linear equations, matrices and time dependent models.

An example of MATLAB use in the secondary education environment is given under [|MATLAB Academia] section.

Programs such as OpenDX and other graphical manipulation programs help engage students in a visual learning environment and better grasp concepts of vectors and visualisation.

Typsetting Tools
[|LaTex] is a typsetting system (available as free software) used for publishing scientific documents. Rather than assigning formats to text, users define the purpose or level of the content they are entering, and the LaTex editor formats the document accordingly.

[|Aurora] is proprietary software tool which allows users of Microsoft® Word, PowerPoint®, Visio®, Excel® and other programs to use LaTex as an equation editor.