Entering partial derivatives?

[DrD]

Backing away from the subject matter to reflect on the intended product purpose, and handheld calculating devices for the classroom market; can it be said that requiring a student to learn machine-dependent mathematics, meets the educational goal of learning subject mathematics? I don't think so in this case.

In a class setting, math topics move forward quite quickly. During lecture, little time is given for a diversion of how "this or that" machine interface must be tweaked to accomplish the subject theme. During recitation, interposing the human machine interface (HMI) demands, adds a layer of confusion to the central goal of learning the topic. Finally, during exam time, trying to recall which of the various machine dependencies is most likely to reach the expectations of examination problems, makes for greater overall difficulty and time demands.

Earlier, the " | where " statement was discussed regarding it's limitations: "that's the way it is" must be accommodated by users of the Prime. Accordingly, many examples exist which don't work using that facility. Yet in a blackboard class setting, that is precisely the form used to pass constraints back to the parent expression. Subst()'s syntax is not part of the lecturer's normal math lexicon.

This discussion emphasizes that hand held technology doesn't cross connect with the classroom, easily. HMI, lecture, recitation, and exam, would be ever so much the better if objectives being taught were, in the same way, met by the tools being marketed for them.

Personally, I feel the Prime fails educators, students, and others, in this important particular scenario, and needs more work.

-Dale-