A comparison study between a traditional and experimental first year linear algebra program.

Abstract

The traditional section was in lecture format whereas the experimental section was in mostly discovery format; Students in the experimental group discovered definitions of basic abstract concepts mostly through visual-based Mathematica notebook demonstrations, whereas the students in the traditional group were given the definitions.

Data was collected through a background questionnaire, post questionnaire, pre-test scores, post-test scores, interviews and observation notes. This study discusses a variety of comparisons between the traditional and the experimental classes. The data shed light on a range of differences in understanding basic linear algebra concepts.

This study investigated the effects of use of Mathematica, a computer algebra system, in learning basic linear algebra concepts. The study was done by means of comparing two first year linear algebra classes, one traditional and one Mathematica implemented class. A total of fifty-five students participated. Each class had a different instructor; The traditional class was taught by a professor in the mathematics department, and the experimental class was taught by the investigator. Students who were already enrolled in each section were used in the study. They were not told the nature of the experiment until after the enrollment was completed.