Wolfram Alpha Rekindles Campus Math Tool Debate

An anonymous reader sends in a story about how Wolfram Alpha is becoming the latest tool students are using to help with their schoolwork, and why some professors are worried it will interfere with the learning process. Quoting: "The goal of WolframAlpha is to bring high-level mathematics to the masses, by letting users type in problems in plain English and delivering instant results. As a result, some professors say the service poses tough questions for their classroom policies. 'I think this is going to reignite a math war,' said Maria H. Andersen, a mathematics instructor at Muskegon Community College, referring to past debates over the role of graphing calculators in math education. 'Given that there are still pockets of instructors and departments in the US where graphing calculators are still not allowed, some instructors will likely react with resistance (i.e. we still don't change anything) or possibly even with the charge that using WA is cheating.'"

Comments

Re:Stop ignoring what I say

[Chris Burke]

It is difficult to determine who is cheating in course work and who is supplying the most input with team work. At least with an exam there is a test of knowledge and understanding.

Yes, I already said that, which is why I said that I had no better alternative, and was simply pointing out that a typical exam isn't just testing your knowledge and understanding of the subject, it's also testing your exam-taking ability.

Come on Chris tell the truth. It's your friend who's good at exams and you who understand everything but can't, no matter how much you try, pass the damn things.

Truthfully, I'm great at taking exams. I could even pass ones when I didn't really understand the material that well. That's not bragging, because that ability is basically useless in the real world.

It is no wonder the middle of the road conscientious but not too bright are always in support of course work and ever ready to damn exams.

Be honest -- you're good at taking exams, but are too arrogant to admit that this doesn't necessarily mean you're the greatest at the subject matter, and too self-centered to consider how this affects anyone but yourself.

Besides, if you actually pay attention and read what I say I'm not damning exams. If this was a test in reading comprehension... So, go get a point then come back.