In honors third semester calculus, Professor Thomas Banchoff uses a sophisticated web page and a 3D graphing program called Fnord that is accompanied by a DynaText electronic book. The web page allows students to log in and submit their answers electronically. Students can submit their answers in HTML, so rich discussions develop that include graphs and drawings from the students and comments from the professor and teaching assistants.
Students are also able to view other people s submissions and comments.
DynaText is used to create an electronic book that contains text and images of mathematical graphs. Clicking on the image of a graph launches Fnord, a program that allows students to interact with 3D graphs. Students can rotate the shaded graph in real-time, adjust the domain of the graph, adjust the variables in the equation, and create planes that cut through the graphs. DynaText guides the students through key concepts and problems, and Fnord provides an invaluable tool to help students visualize mathematical equations. Students have the choice of taking another math section that does not make extensive use of computer technology, so the students in Math 35 are using technology by choice.