Howard S. Kaplon DUE 9552225 Towson State University FY1995 $ 39,657 Towson, MD 21204-1010 ILI - Instrumentation Project: Mathematics Title: Mathematical Software in Current Computer Laboratories The Mathematics Department at Towson State has made a firm commitment to the "Reform Calculus" philosophy and is scheduling its Calculus classes in a Computer Classroom. In addition, many of the statistics classes are being taught in this Classroom. Consequently this Computer Classroom is currently being utilized almost entirely for classroom teaching. Lack of open access to this Computer Classroom by students makes the use of the computer technology and useful mathematical software primarily for demonstration purposes only in calculus and statistics courses, and also discourages faculty teaching other mathematics courses from incorporating innovative computer based instruction and projects. This project is extending calculus and other mathematical reform efforts at Towson by helping prepare an open computer laboratory for students use for projects and assignments outside of mathematics classes. This is allowing students to use mathematical computer software programs outside of their class meeting time. This open laboratory is also being used by students taking other courses such as Numerical Analysis, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Mathematical Models and Concepts of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers to complete computer assignments and projects as well to use commercial and faculty authored interactive text material to enhance their comprehension of the material. In summary, this proposal will ensure that the computer technology and use of mathematical software becomes an integral part of the curriculum.
