PeCAS for Teaching Students

Abstract

First of all, we are teaching students - second we are teaching subjects such as mathematics. Pedagogical Computer Algebra Systems (PeCAS) change the way we teach mathematics and allow us to address the individual needs of students. Confuzius says: “Give a person a fish – and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to fish – and you feed them for a lifetime.” We demonstrate with examples how to best use PeCAS to teach students of all abilities to fish for mathematical knowledge. We also provide a general framework around these examples including the important issue of assessment.