NEWSLETTER AND DATABASE VS. LISTSERV:
Thanks to Dan Teague's efforts, we now have our own listserv. In case you didn't receive instructions on using the listserv, I've included a copy of his email in this newsletter.
So now that we can communicate via our listserv, what is the purpose of having a newsletter and database? I feel that the newsletter should become an occasional email that presents articles that are too long to be posted on the listserve (this is an informal call for papers by the way) and as a place to summarize postings on a topic (see the next section on 3-D graphing software). The database serves purposes such as enabling people to find other teachers who are using the same textbook, located in the same geographic region, or have web site.
3-D GRAPHING SOFTWARE:
Here are the replies that we received regarding 3D graphing software:
From: Alan Lipp
Top notch is DPGraph. (Cyclone, from Mathware, is also authored by David Parker, the DP in DPGraph.) Both are outstanding. You can rotate surfaces in space, intersect surfaces, view dynamically x-, y-, or z-sections. Really fantastic. For visualizing vector fields the best I've seen is online called the Microscope (I think... I need to check.). For visualizing contours, Mathematica (for big bucks) and DPlot (for very little) do an excellent job. Neither, however, provides an easy way to see x-sections or y-sections of a surface.
From: John Owens
I've used GyroGraphics for years--an oldie but a goodie.
From: Joseph Oechsle
I have found Winplot very useful for class demos and for the students to use at home.
From: John Benson
I do rarely the TI-89 because it is way to slow, has no color and not very good resolution. I am also not able to superimpose graphs which is an important feature, like showing gradient vectors and the like. The only advantage is that all of my students have it. I have several software programs, but I find that The Graphing Calculator from Pacific Tech. It has done all that I require for 3D or 2D including implicit graphs. I find that it is the only one I use.
From: Bruce Simmons
Last year several of my students used TI-89's. They all told me the 3D mode graphed too slowly to do them much good. We have a pretty good 3D grapher on all campus computers (WinPlot), including the 9 machines in my classroom. If we didn't have a computer option I expect the students would have been content with the TI-89.
(Editor's Note: Check out Bruce's website for more information on graphing software)
From: Currier, Barbara
I tried to use the TI-89 last year, but it was unbearably cumbersome and didn't really even give very good pictures.
LISTSERV INSTRUCTIONS:
The listserv through SIGMAA TAHSM for the Multivariable Calculus discussion list is now operational. This list is designed to facilitate discussion among high school teachers teaching Multivariate Calculus.
The list is unmonitored. To members of the AP Stat list, you will recognize the rapid response aspects of an unmonitored list. Readers of the AP Calc list will notice the more free-flowing aspect of the discussions.
As an unmonitored list, we all need to keep our focus on teaching students and sharing ideas. We should feel free to disagree with each other in a respectful manner and to offer opposing views.
I'll end my first message with a few comments on the structure of this list:
There are currently 92 subscribers and the list is set up as "message style", that is, an initial message will go to the whole group, but when a person on the list replies, it only goes to the original sender rather than the whole group.
If you would like to reply to the whole group, simply put the MULTIVARIATE-CALCULUS@enterprise.maa.org in the 'To' field. For some, this just means responding to all, but be sure you see MULTIVARIATE-CALCULUS@enterprise.maa.org in the 'To' field if you want everyone to read your message.
Only people subscribed to the list may post to it, but there is no moderator.
There are index and digest versions available for members who wish to change their subscription settings, and archives will be posted online, divided by month.
Subscribers can log in at http://enterprise.maa.org/scripts/wa.exe to view archives/change settings. There are a few simple email commands and introductory instructions posted at
http://www.maa.org/SIGMAA/listservinstructions.html
(these were designed for the SIGMAA lists, but I believe they apply to us as well)
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to write and ask. I'm sure there will be a few bugs as we get started, but hopefully, they will be few and minor.
If you know someone who wants to join the list, have them send a request to me and I'll forward it to the kinds folks at MAA who are running the show behind the scenes.
Let the discussions begin.
Dan
Daniel J. Teague
NC School of Science and Mathematics
1219 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27705
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