How using Sage for high school math effectively?

[Chris Seberino]

How are people using Sage for high school math effectively?

I've tried a few things and discovered it isn't obvious how to use
Sage effectively for high school students.

(This isn't a fault of Sage, but rather, is caused by fact that good
teaching is hard and students aren't simple machines.)

Chris

[David Joyner]

Maybe something like what John Perry did,
http://sage.math.washington.edu/home/wdj/teaching/perry-math-computation-and-sage/
but more toned down might work, if you are in a lab setting?

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[Bruce Cohen]

I am hoping to use Sage with my calculus students next year. John
Perry's work will be quite useful.

-Bruce
Bruce Cohen | e-mail: math....@gmail.com
Lowell High School | http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/home/bic

[michel paul]

I can't claim it's effective, but so far this is what I'm doing -

As much as possible I try to use the SAGE notebook as my blackboard.  At the beginning of this year I had my students open their own SAGE notebook accounts as their first HW assignment. 

In my Analysis classes I enter the example problems for the lesson using LaTeX beforehand.  Then in class I show them various ways to express the ideas in Python/Sage.  My school uses SmartBoard airliner slates, so I use that to write directly on top of the SAGE notebook.  That's useful for comparing the computational approach to the traditional hand-written form.  I then publish the notebook page at sagenb and post the link along with the HW assignment online.

In my FST (Functions, Statistics, Trig) classes I'm actually having them learn pure bare-bones Python!  Around the 10-week marking period I could see that the mid-semester doldrums had start to set in, so one day I asked, "Would you guys like learn Python?"  I was very pleased to get a strong positive response, as I've been trying for years to create a fusion CS/math course and have been met with unbelievable resistance, both from students and staff.  The primary reason the students have been resistant has to do with grades.  The kids at our school are terribly grade conscious, and the suggestion of using Python in class immediately sounds 'hard'.  The primary reason for resistance on the part of my colleagues and department chair has to do with graphing calculators.  Their attitude is, hey, we've got these great calculators. Why introduce something else when the calculator is 'good enough?'  Wow - I am still amazed as I reflect back on all the frustrating conversations I've had.  I keep saying, look, these things are used NOWHERE outside of a high school math classroom.  Why not show the kids how things are ACTUALLY done?   

So fortunately the kids were interested in exploring Python.  Though you can use Sage without knowing Python, I think it's a whole lot better to become fluent in bare-bones Python to get the most out of Sage.  According to our curriculum, we are supposed to be studying transformations of functions and data - so I've been doing lots of stuff with list comprehensions.  I've been having them do stuff in the Python shell, and then showing them how the same thing also works in Sage, plus you get lots of other great stuff, like easy graphing.

One thing I've concluded - though it is possible in SAGE to directly plot various functions, I think it's better for the kids to first construct lists of ordered pairs as list comprehensions and then to plot them using 'points' or 'line'.  That way they can see by doing that as you increase the number of steps you get a smoother and smoother graph.

My dream is to create a fusion math/CS course.  I came an inch close to having it happen for this year - but the course wasn't really supported by my dept chair and was never officially put into the schedule, so kids couldn't sign up for it.  However, as it turns out, there actually was more interest on the part of the students than the administration wanted to admit, and I'm continuing to push for it.  Eventually it HAS to happen.

Ultimately I want to create a Computational Analysis course using the Litvin text Math for the Digital Age.  I think it would be a wonderful book.  We would begin there, and whatever topics in the Analysis curriculum that were not addressed in that book we would bring in as needed.

I'm very much interested in getting something like this to happen, and I'd like to know if anyone is doing something like that anywhere.

- Michel Paul

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--
"Computer science is the new mathematics."

-- Dr. Christos Papadimitriou

[prathap sridharan]

This might sound a bit tangential to some but in my mind is very relevant. I think using the Litvin text to create a Math/CS course would be awesome. I think what would further motivate students overwhelming to the point of forcing the faculty to seriously give this some consideration is a course that teaches python along the lines of Litvin but the problems the students are solving are Math puzzles.

To me this has a 2 fold positive effect:

1) You are getting kids ready for the real world by teaching them programming in a real world computer programming language

2) You are getting kids really excited about mathematics. It is no secret that most students are in the Math class because they have to be. Almost everything being taught in high school can be motivated in the form of a puzzle. Martin Gardner's books are excellent for that.

So if you teach this CS class using python/sage and use it to solve recreational math problems, you really have something here.

Thanks,

Prathap

[Jenya Polyakova]

---

From: prathap sridharan <chef...@gmail.com>
To: sage...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tue, December 8, 2009 2:31:17 PM
Subject: Re: [sage-edu] How using Sage for high school math effectively?

[David Joyner]

As Minh said, email
sage-edu+u...@googlegroups.com
as described at the bottom of every email you receive on this list.

[Jenya Polyakova]

[calc...@aol.com]

> This might sound a bit tangential to some but in my mind is very
relevant. I
> think using the Litvin text to create a Math/CS course would be
awesome. I
> think what would further motivate students overwhelming to the point
of
> forcing the faculty to seriously give this some consideration is a
course
> that teaches python along the lines of Litvin but the problems the
students
> are solving are Math puzzles.

This is VERY interesting. I have looked at Litvin's text and found
that it did not have enough programming projects. I suggested to Gary
that he make a supplemental workbook with more programming projects.
I'm trying to modernize an intro computing class we have that uses
yaBASIC and Visual BASIC called "Computer Math."

I've also been trying to implement a "Calculus Research Lab" for some
time now using SAGE. We had scheduling problems this year. I was
supposed to get a lab every other day for the whole school year in
conjunction with my existing AP Calculus BC class.

HTH,
A. Jorge Garcia
http://calcpage.tripod.com

Teacher & Professor
Applied Mathematics, Physics & Computer Science
Baldwin Senior High School & Nassau Community College

[calc...@aol.com]

Yes, I use that Smart Airliner Slate too! Take a look at my Calculus
youtubes:

http://www.youtube.com/calcpage2009

In fact I just figured out how to use the the Airliner (which is really
just a wacom tablet) in Linux using Xournal pen software instead of
Smart Notebook and http://screencast-o-matic.com instead of Smart
Recorder (see my blog):

http://calcpage.tripod.com/shadowfax

[Offray Vladimir Luna Cárdenas]

Hi,

michel paul wrote:
> I can't claim it's effective, but so far this is what I'm doing -

[...]

Thanks for sharing your practices integrating Sage and maths education.
Briefly what I have done this semester with freshmen students in Linear
Algebra at university was:

* Use my touch screen laptop and my ultraportable projector (view
sonic pjd 2121) to convert any "analog" blackboard in a digital one.
* I make my notes in the touch screen using the digital paint
software "My Paint". I have tried a lot of other note taking touch
screen apps, including the ones that come with the "intelligent boards"
(I see not much intelligence in the device itself), but the stroke has
not the organic sense of My Paint and this is important for analog to
digital transitions. Another nice thing about a software for digital
paint instead of note keeping is the idea of an infinite canvas instead
of a page as a place for writing and drawing. This is where most of my
class "takes place". When we need to made some calculations we use
TeXmacs + Sage interface, because of its nice output and fluid (math)
writing.
* We put the knowledge management system (KMS) cyn.in to support and
extend the social part of the learning experience so I put my class
notes and CAS references there. The students publish also there solved
exercises that use LyX + Sagenb.org or TeXmacs + Sage to calculate but
more importantly argument about calculations using the Polya's
heuristics. Is nice to have a KMS instead of a Learning Management
System (LMS) in this part, because unfortunately LMS think about
learning as it happen on school only, so we can have more emergence.

For next semester we're trying to extend that possibility inside "the
institution" in several ways:

* Installing the cyn.in software _also_ inside the university's
severs (at this moment it is in a local free software community server).
* Prototyping low cost touch boards with Wii controls, so we can have
them everywhere.
* Integrating MathRider with Source Python Distribution (Sage Small)
so we can run it everywhere with low connectivity or computational
resources and grow/bridge from MathRider to Sage.

> My dream is to create a fusion math/CS course. I came an inch close
> to having it happen for this year - but the course wasn't really
> supported by my dept chair and was never officially put into the
> schedule, so kids couldn't sign up for it. However, as it turns out,
> there actually was more interest on the part of the students than the
> administration wanted to admit, and I'm continuing to push for it.
> Eventually it HAS to happen.
>
> Ultimately I want to create a Computational Analysis course using the
> Litvin text Math for the Digital Age

> <http://www.skylit.com/mathandpython.html>. I think it would be a

> wonderful book. We would begin there, and whatever topics in the
> Analysis curriculum that were not addressed in that book we would
> bring in as needed.
>
> I'm very much interested in getting something like this to happen, and
> I'd like to know if anyone is doing something like that anywhere.

You should see the MathRider project which is also trying to integrate
programming a math education and have a lot of emphasize on education
and education research. They are writing excellent free books on this
juncture.

Cheers,

Offray

[jason...@creativetrax.com]

Offray Vladimir Luna C�rdenas wrote:
>
> * Installing the cyn.in software _also_ inside the university's
> severs (at this moment it is in a local free software community server).
> * Prototyping low cost touch boards with Wii controls, so we can have
> them everywhere.
> * Integrating MathRider with Source Python Distribution (Sage Small)
> so we can run it everywhere with low connectivity or computational
> resources and grow/bridge from MathRider to Sage.
>
>
>

This is all very interesting. Thanks for the update. Please keep us
updated on what you're doing.

1. I've never heard of cyn.in (http://www.cynapse.com/cynin, right?),
and it certainly looks interesting.

2. I've experimented with Wii interactive boards (built my own infrared
pen from a whiteboard marker, for example, and I have several more spare
parts around for building several more). I'm interested in what works
well for you with the Wii controller.

3. Also, I'm interested in how you are connected MathRider and Sage. I
don't know a whole lot about the MathRider project; do you mean that you
are replacing Yacas with Sage inside the MathRider IDE?

Thanks,

Jason

--
Jason Grout

[calc...@aol.com]

>>
2. I've experimented with Wii interactive boards (built my own infrared
pen from a whiteboard marker, for example, and I have several more
spare
parts around for building several more). I'm interested in what works
well for you with the Wii controller.
<<

I tried this out a bit last year and found it a bit glitchy. I now use
a Smart Airliner Slate quite extensively and love it. BTW, its sold by
SmartTech, but its really a Wacom Graphire 6x8 PC tablet. I have used
it with Smart Notebook in windows. However, I do not like Smart
Notebook for Linux, so I have used it with FLOSS and FWOSS too! Sorry,
FLOSS = Free Linux Open Source Software and FWOSS is Free Windows Open
Source Software.

For instance, instead of Smart Notebook to write notes with my tablet's
pen I use Xournal (windows and linux) which exports to pdf. Also,
imstead of Smart Recorder to make desktop recordings of my class, I use
http://screencast-o-matic.com (internet app I use in windows and linux
with Chrome or Firefox).

I have been blogging about all this at http://calcpage.tripod.com so
please surf on over if you want to see more about teaching with
technology!

[calc...@aol.com]

OOPS, typo:

For instance, instead of Smart Notebook to write notes with my tablet's
pen I use Xournal (windows and linux) which exports to pdf.
Also, imstead of Smart Recorder to make desktop recordings of my class,
I use http://screencast-o-matic.com (internet app I use in windows and
linux
with Chrome or Firefox).

should be:

For instance, instead of Smart Notebook to write notes with my tablet's

pen I use Xournal (windows and linux) both of which export to pdf.
Also, instead of Smart Recorder to make desktop recordings of my class
complete with sound, I use http://screencast-o-matic.com (internet app
I use in windows and linux with Chrome or Firefox) rendering to mp4.

HTH,
A. Jorge Garcia
http://calcpage.tripod.com

Teacher & Professor
Applied Mathematics, Physics & Computer Science
Baldwin Senior High School & Nassau Community College

-----Original Message-----
From: calc...@aol.com
To: sage...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:19 pm
Subject: Re: [sage-edu] How using Sage for high school math effectively?

>>

--

[Offray Vladimir Luna Cárdenas]

Hi,

On 19/12/09 14:24, calc...@aol.com wrote:

> For instance, instead of Smart Notebook to write notes with my tablet's
> pen I use Xournal (windows and linux) both of which export to pdf.
> Also, instead of Smart Recorder to make desktop recordings of my class
> complete with sound, I use http://screencast-o-matic.com (internet app
> I use in windows and linux with Chrome or Firefox) rendering to mp4.
>

Thanks for the link.

> I tried this out a bit last year and found it a bit glitchy. I now use
> a Smart Airliner Slate quite extensively and love it. BTW, its sold by
> SmartTech, but its really a Wacom Graphire 6x8 PC tablet. I have used
> it with Smart Notebook in windows. However, I do not like Smart
> Notebook for Linux, so I have used it with FLOSS and FWOSS too! Sorry,
> FLOSS = Free Linux Open Source Software and FWOSS is Free Windows Open
> Source Software.
>

The usual meaning of FLOSS is Free Libre Open Source Software. This is
because Free is also gratis and libre (no cost and freedom) so the "word
with L" is referred not to a platform, but to value.

Cheers,

Offray

[Offray Vladimir Luna Cárdenas]

Hi,

On 19/12/09 10:20, jason...@creativetrax.com wrote:
> Offray Vladimir Luna C�rdenas wrote:
>
>> * Installing the cyn.in software _also_ inside the university's
>> severs (at this moment it is in a local free software community server).
>> * Prototyping low cost touch boards with Wii controls, so we can have
>> them everywhere.
>> * Integrating MathRider with Source Python Distribution (Sage Small)
>> so we can run it everywhere with low connectivity or computational
>> resources and grow/bridge from MathRider to Sage.
>>
>>
>>
>>
> This is all very interesting. Thanks for the update. Please keep us
> updated on what you're doing.
>

Sorry for the late response. I was on vacation and there were not much
updates. In that time we made Spanish translations and other adaptations
of the MathPiper docs (the project changed its name to this one...) and
today is my first class presenting the environment and how we will use
it in the semester.

> 1. I've never heard of cyn.in (http://www.cynapse.com/cynin, right?),
> and it certainly looks interesting.
>

Yep. That one. The idea is to use a open platform (in the sense of
source and affiliation) that can be used to create communities of
practice around the subject that I'm trying to teach (linear algebra,
pre-university math, and so on). We have tried several ways, from CMS,
to mailing list, to microblogs, and finally we came here. I really don't
like LMS -"Learning Management Systems" (free or otherwise) because
they're too focused on "management" (as understood by the institution)
and not on learning and worse of all, they reproduce a not much
effective place for learning: the school and the classroom, but now
"powered by Internet" (TM :-P). Knowledge Management Systems like cyn.in
have a more emergent way of doing things and are not centered about
remaking the classroom on Internet, but on knowledge discovery using the
technologies of social web: social tagging and ranking, blogs, wikis,
microblogs, audio, image and video repositories. Now is easy to talk
about knowledge management and social web and I see that students get it
better. Of course we still need things to make a bridge with
institucional educative systems and non-institutional ones, but I think
that we're on the right path.

> 2. I've experimented with Wii interactive boards (built my own infrared
> pen from a whiteboard marker, for example, and I have several more spare
> parts around for building several more). I'm interested in what works
> well for you with the Wii controller.
>

Working on the touchscreen laptop is fine for now, but I want to be in
front of my students to give my class and also to let them pass on the
blackboard, so Wii seems the next step to make this happen. I let you
know my advances.

> 3. Also, I'm interested in how you are connected MathRider and Sage. I
> don't know a whole lot about the MathRider project; do you mean that you
> are replacing Yacas with Sage inside the MathRider IDE?
>
>

The thing is that Sage is too big and the GUI is too/only web. MathPiper
starts in another place: small and with and IDE as desktop off-line
interface that can be extended in java. I think that we can build a
bridge between both starting in one place. So the idea is to use
MathPiper this semester with my students and start to modify it to
include the cross platform things that Sage can offer starting with Sage
Small (source python distribution) may running on jython. This will
happen as the need dictates, but I will keep you posted.

> Thanks,
>
> Jason
>
>

You're welcome :-)

Offray

[calc...@aol.com]

You are welcome for the link to Xournal and Screencast-o-matic.

Well, I've heard the term FOSS and FLOSS used quite extensively to mean
"Free Open Source Software" and "Free Linux Open Source Software"
respectively. I did, however, make up the term FWOSS to mean "Free
Windows Open Source Software" as this is a rare and new phenomenon!