How about the role of copying, pasting and editing Mathematica code?
The C&M computer-based text is full of successful Mathematica code which can be copied, pasted and edited by the student anytime the student wants to. This fact minimizes the need to learn lots of Mathematica code and makes C&M courseware easier to navigate than possible with a calculator. But the role of copying and pasting play a much larger role than this. Copying and pasting is a high order skill. To use it well, the student must know when and what to copy, what to edit and how the results will be interpreted. This intellectually heavy activity separates the math of C&M from the programming of Mathematica. The outcome: Good copying, pasting and editing reinforces mathematical understanding.
Comments from Students
C&M has brought to me something I thought I would never have-- a bit of understanding of the important relationships in mathematics. Some people (say in my [traditional] calc I class) were able to look at the texts and seem to understand, but I have been frustrated very many times by not being able to. I guess that's why I signed up for this class. I used to not like math. But I was just being a product of the way I was taught.
Tech Support
Techs support both the lab machines and the software used in this program.
In the event of a problem, send an e-mail to tech@cm.math.uiuc.edu.
