Mathematics
Glenbrook South High School
High school chooses NeXTSTEP for curriculum development
Reproduced with permission from NeXT
Computer, Inc.
A Reference
Guide to NeXT in Higher Education, Fall 1992
ยช
1992 NeXT Computer, Inc
Kimberly Schmidt, Ryan Kaufman, and David Jeske don't have
after-school jobs at fast food joints or local malls like
many of their 2,000 schoolmates at Glenbrook South High
School. Instead, they earn their spending money-along with
real practical experience-developing NeXT software
applications and simulations for use in high schools and
universities.
"NeXT machines have opened up the learning environment for
students beyond our walls," says John McConnell,
instructional supervisor of mathematics. "NeXT machines
have shown students at all levels that they can contribute
something significant to the world by learning to use
computers."
For the past year, Glenbrook South, in cooperation with
Argonne National Laboratory, has worked toward integrating
the use of NeXT computers into its mathematics, science,
and writing curricula. With help from McConnell and
Glenbrook students, Argonne has developed a variety of
education applications-from pre-calculus tutorials to
collaborative problem-solving sessions-for use on the NeXT
computers. Argonne also plans additional collaborations
with schools in Florida and Texas. Glenbrook South's sister
school-Glenbrook North-already has a lab of NeXT machines
and will begin using them for instruction in the fall of
1992.
Although Glenbrook South already had a large Macintosh lab
on site, McConnell says the school installed NeXT machines
because "the hardware and bundled software applications
were unbeatable for our purposes. NeXT was the best we
could get for our dollars. In fact, the price of a NeXT
machine with eight megabytes of RAM and bundled software
was less than the price of configuring a Macintosh SI. We
know we're going to get many years of good use from these
machines-a very important consideration for any educational
institution."
Currently, mathematics instructors use NeXT machines and
Mathematica to teach advanced algebra,
precalculus, and calculus. Science instructors use
MediaStation to present material on cell life and chemical
components as well as animated examples of different
crystalian structures. Students have begun using NeXT
machines in the school's computer lab on their own-for
composing history and English papers, as well as
communicating with their instructors via NeXTmail. Just a
semester after instructors began using the machines in the
classroom, individual use of the computers has skyrocketed,
according to McConnell.
"The NeXT machines are creating a more lasting, realistic
and active learning experience for our students," says
McConnell.
In calculus classes, students use Mathematica to
solve complicated integration problems, compute tangent
lines of derivatives, and graph polar functions. They're
easily able to change functions, revise calculations,
regraph solutions, and make conjectures about the
results-things that weren't possible in the days of pencil
and paper. McConnell recalls, "In days gone by, teachers
said to students, `Here's the rule, now go graph it.' With
NeXT machines students and teachers have the technology to
be incredibly more flexible. We have the opportunity to
delve deeper into problems."
Besides the traditional problem-solving tasks, McConnell
says he frequently gives his students writing assignments
in which they must explain how they derived a solution for
a particular problem. NeXT, he says, provides the "perfect
platform" for writing about mathematics.
"The 17-inch screen is critical for allowing students to
access math and writing documents simultaneously," he
explains. "The screen is so large that it's easy for the
students to have Mathematica windows up along with
the WriteNow documents. They can easily cut and paste
information from one application to the next."
McConnell says NeXT's UNIX platform and Ethernet networking
system are also pluses for faculty and students.
"UNIX now plays a major role in our school district's
computing environment," he says. "We felt we were making a
move toward cutting-edge computing by investing in a
UNIX-based system, like NeXT. In addition, NeXT's Ethernet
network is quick and efficient. Even if we're running a lot
of applications, the network doesn't get bogged down. Apps
appear on screen very quickly."
Looking ahead, McConnell wants to begin using NeXT machines
in Glenbrook's introductory mathematics courses, including
geometry and algebra. When the NeXT lab at Glenbrook North
is functional, he plans to run NeXT-based classes
simultaneously so North and South students can communicate
with one another about particular assignments.
For more information, please contact:
John McConnell
Instructional Supervisor of Mathematics
Glenbrook South High School
4000 W. Lake Ave.
Glenview, IL 60025
(708) 729-2000, EXT. 360
Carmi Weinzweig
Chief Technologist
Division of Educational Programs
Argonne National Laboratory
9711 North Kildare
Skokie, IL 60076
708 252-5264
majortom@eid.anl.gov