Mathematical tales of technology and collaboration

Abstract

Several tales are told about the teaching of tertiary level mathematics, with recurring themes of various forms of technology and collaboration. These include: the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) program of collaborative eTeaching of advanced mathematics (at Honours level) to small classes at multiple remote sites via Access Grid Rooms (AGRs); AMSI seminars and workshops held via AGRs; some pedagogical issues with eTeaching in AGRs, a proposed pedagogical framework and examples of some software (pdf slide-show, annotations, Word, Power Point, Maple) within the context of both AGR and standard e-presentations; eMarking, where the tutor marks in an electronic environment; computer aided assessment (CAA), using generally available computer algebra systems (CAS) enabled CAA packages (the commercial MapleTA and the open source STACK) and the more powerful CAS immersed CAA using Maple to mark individualised assignments, with plots and comments---a current research topic at RMIT University and Oxford University; and usage of CAA for large classes will surely increase. The development of quality materials is resource intensive: since expertise is geographically distributed collaborative development via AGRs would be valuable. References

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