A Computer Algebra System for Calculus

小行星9452472 列克星敦社区学院的数学教师正在将计算机代数系统纳入他们的微积分序列。每个班级每周在教室里上课三个小时，每周两次在Maple的网络计算机实验室里研究数学概念。在实验室的大部分时间都花在了可以在一节课内合理完成的短问题上。学生还需要完成四个或五个较大的实验项目，涉及一个概念的多步调查。他们在指定的小组中完成这些项目一周或更长时间。使用Maple进行微积分可以减轻学生对计算的一些挫折感，并允许教师期望学生专注于更多的概念性问题。花在传统讲座上的时间更少，花在绘图上的时间更多。 执行代数操作和计算被最小化。

9452472 Crowley Mathematics faculty at Lexington Community College are incorporating a computer algebra system into their calculus sequence. Each class meets three hours per week in a classroom for lecture, and two times per week in a networked computer laboratory with Maple to investigate mathematical concepts. Most of the time in the laboratory is spent working on short problems that can be reasonably completed during one class period. Students are also expected to complete four or five larger laboratory projects that involve multistep investigation of a concept. They work on these projects for a week or more in assigned groups. Use of Maple for calculus relieves students of some frustration with computations, and allows instructors to expect students to concentrate on more conceptual questions. Less time is spent in traditional lectures, and more time is spent graphing. Performing algebraic manipulations and computations is minimized.