Mathematica-Based Spanish Courseware Now Available
May 31, 2000--CompuMat announces the introduction of their new interactive
Mathematica-based text series, the first such courseware for use in
the teaching of mathematics at Spanish-speaking universities. This powerful
mathematics tool was initially developed as part of a federal
government-supported project for the improvement of science teaching and
is the result of a successful three-year pilot experience at Cuyo
University in Argentina.
The interactive Mathematica-based text series addresses the
introductory
subjects of linear algebra, calculus in one or more variables, and
differential and recurrence equations. Inspired in part by the innovative,
award-winning Calculus&Mathematica series by Math Everywhere, the
courseware
enables students to experiment and explain the results of their
experimentation "discovering and doing math." Designed to teach students
useful mathematics tools in an interesting and motivating way, it
encourages
active participation by students, as well as teachers, in a completely
Spanish environment.
Using the flexible Mathematica interface and extensive program
capabilities, students are able to do the following:
- Work with symbolic expressions
- Work with a great number of functions, with the precision indicated by
the user (including infinite precision)
- Draw and animate in two and three dimensions, choosing point of view
and coordinate system
- Program in any of three methods
- Procedural programming (using blocks, loops and cycles, recursion)
- Functional programming (the possibility to define pure functions,
functional operators)
- Rule-based programming (supplying rules that indicate how to operate
or transform the symbolical expressions, functions, etc.)
- Create interactive documents, including text, graphics, sound, and
animation
- Automatically translate text and graphics from Mathematica to
PostScript or other format, permitting an interchange with other programs
Claudia
Guzner, one of the
courseware developers, expects it to gain wide
acceptance in both state and private universities not only in Argentina
but also in other Spanish-speaking countries. Says Guzner, "This product is
the first of its kind to be created specifically for use in the mathematics
education of Spanish students. The mere translation of other Mathematica
courseware (like Math Everywhere) is inappropriate, due principally to deep
differences between the Latin American and U.S. cultures."
The Spanish series presents students with a strong, unified vision between
mathematics and its applications, while at the same time developing the
students'
problem-solving capabilities and providing them with indispensable tools
for their future professional work. Furthermore, the adaptability and
flexibility of the courseware make it well suited for use in both
internet-based and long-distance learning courses.
The interactive Mathematica-based text series is currently
available for
Windows 95/98/NT/2000. The suggested retail price is $45 (U.S.); academic
and site pricing is also available. To get further information or to order,
please contact CompuMat directly.
Address
Universidad Nacional de Cuyo
Facultad de Ciencias Económicas
Dpto. de Disciplinas Matemáticas
CompuMat
Centro Universitario - Parque General San Martín
C.P. 5500 - Mendoza
Argentina
phone: +54-(0)261-423-6000, ext. 2485
fax: +54-(0)261-423-2779 (Attention: Dpto. de Disciplinas Matemáticas - CompuMat)
email: compumat@fcemail.uncu.edu.ar
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