The mathematics faculty of the University of Redlands is converting its calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra courses from lecture courses to laboratory courses featuring discovery-based learning in the context of real-world models. The primary discovery tool for each of these courses is, or will be, the computer. In fact, we intend for each classroom in which these courses are taught to be equipped with one Macintosh Centris 650 computer for each two students. Our institutional commitment to small class sizes means we need two computer classrooms with 14 computers in each.
Redlands is now offering all of its first-year calculus courses in a laboratory format; when a second computer classroom is added, the third-semester calculus course and the differential equations and linear algebra courses will be offered as laboratory courses as well.
The Redlands project reflects its faculty's belief, shared by mathematics educators nationwide, that students learn best by actively discovering and exploring mathematical concepts. The computer allows students to visualize and explore complex models not tractable using more traditional algebraic or analytic approaches.
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