First the University-wide committee should be formed to discuss and decide on the choice of software and specific details of the license. For instance, with MatLab one may also purchase certain ``toolboxes" which perform more advanced tasks and the committee should consider which toolboxes should be included in the campus-wide distribution. Perhaps some departments will wish to continue to maintain small individual licenses because of specialized needs. Also, both annual and perpetual licenses are available and the committee should also consider which pricing option suits the overall needs of the University.
Once the decisions are made by the committee, 1804 Fund money will be used to purchase, or supplement the purchase of a University-wide site license for the chosen software. Once the licenses are obtained the software can be installed on any campus computer used for course related work, including dorm computers. The Office of Information Technology and Computer Services, with assistance from the authors, will oversee the distribution and installation of the software. The Math Department and Information Technology will be jointly responsible for advertisement of the software. Public demonstrations on accessing and using the software will be held around the University. Included in the license agreement for MatLab is that Ohio students can purchase the program, at a reduced price, for use on their home computers. The student release includes the Symbolic toolbox. With a site license, interested parties from all departments can begin to use the software immediately. A site license will also allow students immediate access to this powerful tool. Probably many of them will begin using it for classwork without any urging from the faculty.
As part of his book, Young has already prepared
homework assignments for various levels of
calculus, differential equations and linear algebra using
Maple. (These are available on the Internet
at www.math.ohiou.edu/~simple).
Snyder and Young are currently adapting
these assignments to MatLab and a sample homework
assignment is attached.
During the 2000-2001 school year, Chapin, Young and others
will begin using the MatLab assignments and the assignments
will be edited and improved.
A PACE position has already been approved for the purpose
of assisting in the development and posting of these assignments.
Also during this year,
the Mathematics department will evaluate the assignments.
During this time the investigators will organize
introductory demonstrations on accessing and
using MatLab at various locations on campus.
Beginning with the Fall 2001 quarter, the homework assignments will be adopted by most of the calculus and differential equations sections (MATH 263, 340). Professors will have options of assigning the homework via web page or as handouts. We will make it possible for individual professors to easily modify the assignments to met the needs of their own classes. Demonstrations on accessing and using MatLab will be held at the beginning of each quarter.
Once the software is being widely used in the mathematics department, professors in other Math-using disciplines can begin to freely assume that incoming students can use the software.