An innovative learning model for computation in first year mathematics
Article
Article Title | An innovative learning model for computation in first year mathematics |
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ERA Journal ID | 20498 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Tonkes, E. J. (Author), Loch, B. I. (Author) and Stace, A. W. (Author) |
Editors | Bulmer, Michael, MacGillivray, Helen and Varsavsky, Cristina |
Journal Title | International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology |
Journal Citation | 36 (7), pp. 751-759 |
Number of Pages | 9 |
Year | 2005 |
Place of Publication | Oxfordshire, England |
ISSN | 0020-739X |
1464-5211 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/00207390500271677 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00207390500271677 |
Abstract | MATLAB is a sophisticated software tool for numerical analysis and visualisation. The University of Queensland has adopted Matlab as its official teaching package across large first year mathematics courses. In the past, the package has met severe resistance from students who have not appreciated their computational experience. Several main factors contribute: Firstly, the software is numerical rather than symbolic, providing a departure from the thinking patterns presented in lectures and tutorials. Secondly, many students cannot see a direct connection between the laboratory exercises and core course material from lectures. Thirdly, the students find hurdles to entry as commands often return annoying error messages and don't execute, and programs are difficult to write and debug. Overall, the details of the mathematics are lost in trying to negotiate the software. After considerable effort in tuning, it appears that a sequence of innovations has captured student support and added considerable value to both the computational and traditional learning process. |
Keywords | Matlab; first year mathematics education; interactive workbook; higher education |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390405. Educational technology and computing |
461399. Theory of computation not elsewhere classified | |
390109. Mathematics and numeracy curriculum and pedagogy | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | CS Energy, Australia |
Department of Mathematics and Computing | |
University of Queensland | |
Event | Kingfisher Delta '05: The Fifth Southern Hemisphere Conference on Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Teaching and Learning |
ISBN | 1864998407 |
Event Details | Kingfisher Delta '05: The Fifth Southern Hemisphere Conference on Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Teaching and Learning Event Date 22 to end of 26 Nov 2005 Event Location Fraser Island, Australia |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9x788/an-innovative-learning-model-for-computation-in-first-year-mathematics
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