Computer Algebra - A Good Reason to Bring Interest and Enthusiasm Back to
Mathematics Classes

Elena A. Varbanova

                                       "Such as the teacher,
                                        such the school,
                                        such the students"
                                       (an old dictum)

The learning environment is a bridge connecting the learner and teacher.  The
nature and value of the "objects and the net load" crossing the gap are
strongly dependent on the bridge capacity and quality.  The latter could be
improved integrating Computer Algebra (CA) for learning mathematics/science.
CA used in the right way can bring interest and enthusiasm back to mathematics
classes.  Enthusiasm, however, is not a substitute for knowledge and
imagination.  It is teachers' duty not to reduce mathematics (for the sake of
technology) to automatically obtained results and graphical images. To achieve
this goal teachers need adequate qualification and competency.

Some ideas and educational experience in application of CA into undergraduate
mathematics will be presented and discussed.


Assoc.Prof.Dr Elena Varbanova
Department of Mathematical Analysis and Numerical Methods
Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Informatics
Technical University of Sofia
Bul. "St. Kliment Ohridski" 8
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria