CAS | Busynessgirl

Navigating WolframAlpha Pro Features

Posted by busynessgirl | Apr 3, 2012 | CAS, Digital Literacy, Equation Editors, Teaching Math, Teaching Math Online |

Last week I had to do a workshop about WolframAlpha, and I noticed that there are three different feature sets: not logged in, logged in, logged in to Pro. I needed to know which login settings provided which features (especially for giving workshops and working with students), so I decided to be thorough about it. You can download the PDF of this document, Guide to Wolfram Alpha Features, as well. Hope this makes the decision-making a little easier for you! Possibly Related Posts: Taking the Algebra Out of College Algebra Group Exploration in Math Elaborations for Creative Thinking...

Abandoning Ship on Wolfram Alpha?

Posted by busynessgirl | Dec 13, 2011 | CAS, College Algebra, Teaching Math |

I am really getting fed up tired of having to explain Wolfram Alpha graphs to students. For some reason, the default in Wolfram Alpha is to graph everything with imaginary numbers. This results in bizarre-looking graphs and makes it near-impossible to use Wolfram Alpha as a teaching tool for undergraduate mathematics, a real shame. Now that Google has entered the online graphing fray, I have a wary hope that the programmers at Wolfram Alpha might finally (after two years of waiting) fix the problem. Here are a few examples. I’ll show you the graph in Wolfram Alpha, on a...

Shifting Assessment in a World with WolframAlpha

Posted by busynessgirl | Oct 12, 2010 | Assessment for Math, CAS, Find and Use Data, Teaching Math |

I let my students use Wolfram Alpha when they are in class and when they are doing their homework (um, how would I stop them?). Because of this, I’ve had to shift how I assess on more formal assignments. For the record, it’s the same adjustment you might make if you were using ANY kind of Computer Algebra System (CAS). The simplest shift is to stop asking for the answers to problems, and just give the students the answers. After all, they live in a world where they CAN easily get the answers, so why pretend that it’s the...

Math Technology to Engage, Delight, and Excite

Posted by busynessgirl | May 14, 2010 | CAS, Communicating Math, Interactive Math Online, Online Homework, PC Tablets and Journaling, Teaching Math, Teaching Math Online |

This is the Plenary Address from MAA Michigan last week. Math Technology to Engage, Delight, and Excite View more presentations from Maria Andersen. Possibly Related Posts: Taking the Algebra Out of College Algebra Group Exploration in Math Elaborations for Creative Thinking in STEM Learning Math is Not a Spectator Sport Recorded Webinar: Teaching Math in...

TED Talk on Wolfram Alpha

Posted by busynessgirl | May 11, 2010 | CAS, Find and Use Data, Future of Math, Teaching Math |

The talk is titled “Computing a Theory of Everything” Possibly Related Posts: Taking the Algebra Out of College Algebra Reimagining Calculus Keynote Group Exploration in Math Elaborations for Creative Thinking in STEM Learning Math is Not a Spectator...