2007/12/07 by Thomas J. Bing, Edward F. Redish · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · Social Sciences · #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques #Science Education and Pedagogy #physics.ed-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1119/1.2835053
arxiv created 2007/12/07 · openalex publication_date 2008/03/13 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
The use of symbolic calculators such as MATHEMATICA is becoming more commonplace among upper level physics students. The presence of such powerful calculators can couple strongly to the type of mathematical reasoning students employ. These tools do not merely offer students a convenient way to perform the calculations they would have otherwise done by hand. We present examples from the work of upper level physics majors where MATHEMATICA plays an active role in focusing and sustaining their thoughts around calculation. These students still engage in powerful mathematical reasoning while they calculate, but struggle because of the narrowed breadth of their thinking. We model MATHEMATICA’S influence as an integral part of the constant feedback that occurs in how students frame, and hence focus, their work.