For Mathematica beginners, it is likely that it will require
30-40 hours to complete the module. The time
required for the classroom project will depend on
the size and complexity of the project you
select. However, you should expect to spend at
least 15 hours on your final project. After
you have completed and submitted your on-line
registration forms, you will be able to download
the appropriate module files folder for your
operating system (PC or Macintosh) and your Mathematica
version (3.0, 4.0, or 5.0), you are ready to begin.
If you are familiar with unzipping files, you can use this link to download all of the files associated with the module at one time. You also have the option of downloading the individual files associated with each step, as they are needed, by clicking on the file names found beneath each indiviudal step. |
|
STEP #1
Review
the notebook: A Mathematica
Test Ride. |
| In fact, because you are
basically a spectator on this Test Ride, it is a
good idea to review it twice with a careful eye
to the structure of the commands you are running.
(You must have the Mathematica software installed to work with these files. A trial version of Mathematica is available under the "Try It Out" link at http://wolfram.com/products/mathematica/index.html ). |
| |
STEP #2
Work
through the two minicourses: Mathematica
Basics and Text,Symbols
& Styles. |
| In these and
all remaining minicourses, you are no longer a
spectator! Instead, you are asked to do some
problems to test and practice your new knowledge.
These problems are located in the "Just
Do It!" sections of these minicourses.
As you do the "Just Do It!"
problems of these minicourses , Copy your
solutions and Paste them into the Assignment
3.1 Shell file that is in the download folder
for this module. |
| |
| If you are
enrolled for graduate or continuing education
credit, submit Assignment 3.1 through the Module
Hand-In System using your MTL login and password
before you go on to Step 3. |
|
Step #3
Work through
the Functions
and the Picture It! minicourses,
in that order. |
| Remember to do
the "Just Do It!" problems as
you proceed. Copy your solutions and Paste
them into the Assignment 3.2 Shell
file.
|
| If you are
enrolled for graduate or continuing education
credit, submit Assignment 3.2 through the Module
Hand-In System using your MTL login and password
before you go on to Step 4. |
|
Step #4
Work through
the Lists, Equations, &
Programs minicourse. |
| Remember to do
the "Just Do It!" problems as
you proceed. Copy your solutions and Paste
them into the Assignment 3.3 Shell
file.
|
| If you are
enrolled for graduate or continuing education
credit, submit Assignment 3.3 through the Module
Hand-In System using your MTL login and password
before you go on to Step 5. If you are
enrolled as an MTL guest or for continuing
education credit, you have just completed the
module. Congratulations! Those of you enrolled
for continuing education credit will be sent
feedback on the three assignments that you were
required to submit.
If
you are enrolled in the module for graduate
credit, you now have the opportunity to put your Mathematica
programming skills to work by creating a Mathematica
-based Final Project that
you can use in your teaching work. Proceed to
Steps 5, 6, and 7 for help in selecting,
completing and submitting your Final Project.
|
|
Step #5
Review the
projects in the Sample Projects Folder. |
| Reviewing the
projects in this folder should help you to select
a project of your own. This review is helpful
even if you already have definite ideas about a
classroom project or projects because you are
likely to find some ideas and Mathematica
code that you can borrow and modify to enhance
your project. Of course, you are welcome to use
these projects, or items from them, in your own
teaching independently of your project. |
|
Step #6
Select a project
(or projects) that would be useful to you in your
teaching, and then e-mail a brief description of
your Final Project to us before you begin. |
The Final Project must
first be approved before you may prepare and submit it.
The brief description should include the objective of the
project in terms of subject matter and the use of Mathematica to enhance the lesson.
Regarding the use of Mathematica, you must implement the
coding and presentation skills you have learned in this course.
Specifically, your Final Project must include each of the
following six operations.
- Lists
- Plotting
- Tables
- Functions
- Two (2) other items from below:
- conditional statements
- arrays
- programming
- animation
- iteration
- recursion
- an operation of your choosing approved by MTL
Ultimately, the Final Project is your opportunity to
demonstrate your newly acquired knowledge of Mathematica by developing a lesson that spans two to four days, and through the use of Mathematica make the content more understandable and more interesting to the students.
We also urge you to call us to discuss your
ideas - we may be able to make some helpful suggestions.
Please email your descriptions to
classroom@mtl.math.uiuc.edu
. |
|
Step #7
Complete
your Final Project. |
| You will need
to submit your Final Project to us in both of the
ways discussed below. |
- Submit an electonic
copy of your project as a single
Mathematica Notebook through the Module
Hand In System using your MTL login and
password.
- Mail a print copies
of your Final Project to: Tony Peressini
and Debra Woods at: Math Dept. 273
Altgeld Hall 1409 West Green St. Urbana,
IL 61801.
That's it folks!
We believe that if you complete these steps, you
will acquire the tools necessary to use Mathematica
actively in your teaching and that you will have
the background necessary to learn more about Mathematica
as your needs dictate.
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