Fractals, abstract-like art based on mathematical principles, are good examples of this union. In their most basic form, fractals resemble the geometric shapes produced when you roll a circle inside or outside another circle using a Spirograph. Today, many fractals are computer-generated. A two-time winner of the University Professor Award during his 20 years at Ohio University, Kaufman taught a course exploring the differences between games and mathematics the first time he received the designation in 1984. He thinks his teaching style is popular among students because he tries to make math fun.
Many classes are concerned with covering the material.
Not in my classes, Kaufman says. The database of the world is changing faster than we can understand it, so we need to teach students to think for themselves.