In ENGR 351, many of these lectures include annotation to illustrate keys aspects of the thought processes behind numerical methods. Access to the course notes is intended to facilitate the teaching and learning process. By providing the notes, the amount of writing of complex diagrams, lengthy text, and elaborate equations by the professor, and copying by the students is reduced. He points out that while these techniques can be effective in increasing the amount of material covered, there is a serious risk that it will cause the students to lose interest in short order. Therefore, the strategy has been to provide the problems statements in the notes, without the solutions.
Time is taken in class for students to solve problems after the theory has been introduced.
During this time, students are encouraged to interact with each other and the professor. After a reasonable period of time, the solution is presented. By allowing the students an opportunity to apply the theory after presenting it in class, the subsequent note taking reinforces the learning and retention of knowledge. The lecture notes are presented in class on black and white transparencies, which do not provide the color and annotation available to the viewer through the software. To fully utilize this technology and other multimedia capabilities in the classroom, the lecture halls must be renovated to include computers, display panels and overhead projectors at a minimum.