Technology-Meets-Tradition: Activities in Teaching and Learning Integrals

Elena A. Varbanova
Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Informatics
Technical University of Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria

This paper has been planed with non-mathematics students in mind.  A
Mathematics service course for them should not be unnecessarily complicated,
but at the same time it has to help the students develop the capabilities they
need to be successful.  In the 20th century the universal language of
Mathematics and its independence of cultural influences made possible the
creation of one of the most challenging educational tools called Computer
Algebra System (CAS).  An experience at the Technical University of Sofia in
combining traditional modes and CAS- supported approaches to undergraduate
mathematics is represented.  Examples of integration as one of the key
mathematical operations are considered with application of CAS Derive.  The
main goal is to find a harmonized combination of educational values/tradition
in our country and the power of technology.  Thus we can ensure that both are
open in response to a global imperative: to create diversity (as nobody has
monopoly on truth).  In this sense CAS could serve as a bridge over the ocean
of the great variety of effective modern practices in education.  Trough CAS we
have made an attempt to actively and interactively involve students into the
teaching and learning process.  This helps teachers to find out what mix of
which types of learning environments is better suited for a particular topic or
type of problems.