Date: Thu, 25 Feb 93 13:51:33 PST From: Conrad_Geiger To: user_groups@next.com Subject: v6.7 - NeXT Nugget News Digest (vol. 6, issue 7, February, 1993) NeXT Nugget News Digest (vol. 6, issue 7, February, 1993) *** TABLE OF CONTENTS *** HIGHER EDUCATION / ACADEMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS (December/January) => 20. U. of Houston Students Use NeXT to Develop Courseware => 21. Announcing NeXT Education Software Sampler: CD-ROM Software => 22. Accepting Entries for 1993 EDUCOM Software and Curriculum Innovation Awards => 23. Digital Tool Works announces release of EquationBuilder 3.0 => EXTRA - NSF Workshop for Faculty w/ Symbolic Algebra Experience Conrad Geiger Manager, International NeXT User Group Program (over 420 groups worldwide) All previous 47 Nugget News Digest issues from 1992 are archived at the Purdue ftp archive site: sonata.cc.purdue.edu under... In NeXTMailbox format: /pub/next/Newsletters/Nugget/Oct92.tar.Z /pub/next/Newsletters/Nugget/Nov92.tar.Z /pub/next/Newsletters/Nugget/Dec92.tar.Z /pub/next/Newsletters/Nugget/Jan93.tar.Z and in text (ascii) format. Past issues (early 1992 and 1991) also appear in /pub/next/Newsletters/Nugget on Sonata. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ HIGHER EDUCATION / ACADEMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS (December/January) => 20. Article on NeXT courseware development at University of Houston follows: The Open Channel University of Houston Information Technology News Volume 9, Number 8 * August 10, 1992 Students Use NeXT to Develop Courseware One of the most innovative uses of computers in higher education is to visually demonstrate concepts which are difficult to understand. However, a barrier to this kind of use id the lack of appropriate education software or "courseware." Dr. John R. Glover, a professor in the department of Electrical Engineering, uses the unique user-friendliness of NeXT workstations to allow students in his ELEE 4401 classes to develop courseware that visually demonstrates complex engineering topics. In this senior projects class, titled Computer Engineering Design, students develop courseware that can be used in other engineering classes. In this way, students not only learn important programming and engineering concepts, but also develop skills in project management and technical communications-the presentation of complicated materials in a way that can be understood by others-that will serve them in their professional careers. For the first half of the course, students learn about object-oriented programming and the NeXT development environment, as well as presentation and project management skills. In the second half of the course, students present their project proposal to the class using a video project and slides they've created on the NeXT, after which they spend the semester working on their project in teams of two. Each team meets with Glover for assessment and feedback at least once a week during the development. At the end of the semester, students present their finished product, and turn in a written report and full documentation for the software. Projects are designed for use both as a classroom demonstration tool for instructors and as a laboratory resource for students. Instructors benefit from a customizable visual aid, and students in the lab can explore the simulations at their own pace to develop their understanding of the topic. Representative projects from this year's course include a digital logic simulator, a Karnaugh map tutor, and various signal processing simulations, including linear and circular convolution, and signal sampling/reconstruction. Glover also manages another NeXT-based educational project: the Summer program for Engineering Courseware Development. In this intensive summer seminar, students work full-time to learn object-oriented programming and develop courseware as described above. Currently-enrolled engineering students and graduating high-school seniors are eligible for for this program, for which they are paid a stipend based on experience. A special laboratory has been set aside for this program, which provides a NeXT workstation for each participant, a color system for demonstrations, and a conferencing area. Though a teaching assistant is assigned to the program and Dr. Glover is available for guidance, participants are expected to work without supervision. This summer's students are working on projects including plotting and graphics applications, which will allow users to move a graphical "object" into another application; objects and programs for discrete simulation which allow you to choose an object, set relevant parameters, and observe the effect of your change; and user-friendly interfaces for Mathematica, which allow the user to use sliders, text fields, and buttons while still able to access Mathematica's robust number crunching abilities. According to Glover, the combination of NeXTSTEP (the NeXT's development environment) and object-oriented programming makes it possible for even relatively inexperienced programmers to develop courseware. Says Glover, "As Steve Jobs said, 'the NeXT does for the developer what the Macintosh did for the user. It makes it easier.'" ____________________________________________________________________ => 21. Announcing NeXT Education Software Sampler: CD-ROM Software Over 500 Megabyes of Higher Education NeXTSTEP software available! Call 1-800-879-NeXT to order. BALTIMORE, - At the EDUCOM'92 conference this past Fall, NeXT Computer, Inc. announced the availability of the first NeXT Education Software Sampler, a CD-ROM containing a wide assortment of public domain shareware education software for NeXTSTEP(tm) computers. "Our goal with the NeXT Education Software Sampler is to provide users with useful, easily accessible software as well as to stimulate users' imaginations by providing ideas for further development with NeXTSTEP," said David Spitzler, higher education marketing manager for NeXT. "Because all the software on the disc was submitted to NeXT specifically for redistribution, we encourage users to share anything on the Software Sampler with others who may be interested in educational NeXTSTEP software." Most of the software on the CD-ROM is ready to run and can be used free of charge. The software was submitted by faculty, researchers and students as well as representatives from various industries. The disc also contains demonstration versions of a variety of commercially available applications, submitted by the third-party developers themselves. In addition, NeXT has also included the source code of its modifications to the Free Software Foundation's GNU-based development tools, including the compilers, debugger and the emacs editor. Examples of education software on the disc include FlyLab, an application written for an introductory genetics course at the California State University at Los Angeles. Fly Lab teaches the principles of genetic inheritance by simulating a genetics laboratory of the common fruit fly. Students can design flies that carry various combinations of mutations, then "mate" the flies to study the inheritance of genetic traits in the offspring. Other examples include Geo4 and Geo5, software for teaching and learning historical geography, written at St. Mary's College of Maryland, and a demonstration of Tarski's World, an application for learning first-order logic written at Stanford University. Organized into sections by subject, the CD-ROM contains more than 500 megabytes (MB) of applications, utilities, documents and much more. For instance, the disc includes nearly 15 MB of music software, more than 70 MB of mathematics software and almost 80 MB of programming examples and source code from full-functioning applications. Each submission includes a README file with minimum standard information about the application and who to contact for more information. Price and Availability The NeXT Education Software Sampler is available now directly from NeXT for $25.00. Interested parties can call 1-800-879-NeXT to order. About NeXT Computer, Inc. NeXT Computer, Inc. designs and markets the industry-acclaimed NeXTSTEP object-oriented operating system, and designs, manufactures and markets UNIX-based workstations that run NeXTSTEP. NeXTSTEP and NeXT workstations are used by medium and large organizations to develop and deploy mission-critical applications, using both custom and shrink-wrapped software. NeXT is headquartered at 900 Chesapeake Drive, Redwood City, Calif., 94063. -30- NeXT, the NeXT logo and NeXTSTEP are trademarks of NeXT Computer, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners. ____________________________________________________________________ => 22. Accepting Entries for 1993 EDUCOM Software and Curriculum Innovation Awards Contact: Phone: 301/405-7534 Email: awards@cristal.umd.edu The EDUCOM Software and Curriculum Innovation Awards Program is accepting entries for the 1993 competition. The deadline for submissions is February 26. To request that an entry form be sent to you, send e-mail to awards@cristal.umd.edu, or call 301/405-7534. There are two categories in which submissions can be made: the Product Division, for original software designed to enhance student learning, and the Curriculum Innovation Division, which focuses on the use of technology by rewarding excellence in teaching with computers. There is no requirement that original software be developed by the submitter to enter an application in the Curriculum Innovation category, just that the computer be applied in ways that meet an important instructional need. The innovation might be the creative classroom use of existing commercial software packages; it might be the adaptation of existing packages for educational use; or it might be built around new software designed by the applicant. Entries will be reviewed in the following disciplines, all of which are at the undergraduate level except Law: * Natural Sciences, which can include Astronomy, Atmospheric Science, Biology, Botany, Ecology, Forestry, Genetics, Zoology, Chemistry, Geology, or Physics; * Humanities, including Area Studies, Communications, English (Literature or Composition), Journalism, Foreign Languages, or Philosophy; * Engineering, including Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, or Nuclear; * Mathematics, which can include Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Statistics, or other; * Social Sciences, including Anthropology, Archaeology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics or Research Methods; and * Law (Graduate level), which can include any area of specialization. ____________________________________________________________________ => 23. Digital Tool Works announces release of EquationBuilder 3.0 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Terrence Talbot Digital Tool Works 100 Charles St, Ste D Boston, MA 02114 (617) 742-4057 (Voice/FAX) eqb_info@dtw.com Digital Tool Works announces release of EquationBuilder 3.0 BOSTON, Mass., December 9, 1992 - Digital Tool Works(TM) today announced the immediate availability of EquationBuilder(TM) 3.0, advanced technical publishing software for NeXTSTEP(R) 3.0. EquationBuilder 3.0 represents a significant upgrade from the original version, EquationBuilder 0.9b, released in July, 1992. EquationBuilder is the first object-oriented, fully WYSIWYG technical equation editor for NeXTSTEP. EquationBuilder 3.0 takes full advantage of NeXTSTEP 3.0, making EquationBuilder an ideal tool for use in an integrated NeXTSTEP publishing and presentation environment. Using Encapsulated PostScript(R) as its native file format, EquationBuilder expressions can be included in any page layout, word processing, or presentation graphics application by either simple drag-and-drop, copy-paste, or via the new object linking capabilities of NeXTSTEP 3.0. Among the new features in EquationBuilder 3.0 are multi-level undo/redo, direct support for object linking of EquationBuilder expressions with other NeXTSTEP 3.0 compatible applications, universal drag-and-drop among EquationBuilder documents and with other NeXTSTEP 3.0 compatible applications, complete support for Services, and full drag-and-drop color. Current owners of EquationBuilder 0.9b are entitled to a free software upgrade to the current release. EquationBuilder 3.0 is available through authorized resellers. Discounts for academic institutions and students, and multi-user network licenses are also available. Contact Digital Tool Works for more information. Digital Tool Works is a privately funded software start-up dedicated to the development of productivity and authoring tools running under NeXTSTEP. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. ____________________________________________________________________ => EXTRA - NSF Workshop for Faculty w/ Symbolic Algebra Experience AN NSF WORKSHOP FOR FACULTY WITH SYMBOLIC ALGEBRA EXPERIENCE Contact: Email: NSF.Workshop@Rose-Hulman.edu FAX: (812) 877-8895 Phone: (812)877-8143 Revitalizing the Engineering, Mathematics, and Science Curricula via Symbolic Algebra WHEN Tuesday, July 13 through Saturday, July 17, 1993 with an optional refresher on Monday July 12th. (Also to be offered in 1994.) WHERE Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 5500 Wabash Avenue Terre Haute, IN 47803 STAFF Dr. Mark A. Yoder Electrical Engineering (812) 877-8291 Mark.A.Yoder@Rose-Hulman.edu Dr. Robert Lopez Dept. of Mathematics (812) 877-8396 R.Lopez@Rose-Hulman.edu COURSE DESCRIPTION This is a five-day workshop for faculty with previous exposure to computer algebra systems such as Maple or Mathematica. Faculty, drawn from engineering, science, and mathematics, will learn how to use computer algebra as an effective tool in teaching, revising curricula, and making the contents of their courses more conceptual. A participant will craft at least one instructional unit showcasing the utility of symbolic manipulation software. Participants will be shown examples of similar curricular improvements that have already been made at Rose-Hulman. In the interdisciplinary atmosphere of the workshop, participants will conceive, create, and critique units of their own. They will leave the workshop with a clear understanding of the potential for computer algebra to transform their own curricula. The course is taught in a laboratory equipped with NeXT workstations and Mathematica and Maple; participants are seated in front of their own workstation. ELIGIBILITY Participants must have previous symbolic algebra experience. Participation in UFE workshops is limited to those in permanent faculty positions in post-secondary educational institutions in the 50 states and US possessions and territories. Enrollment is limited to 30 participants who will be selected on the basis of topics they teach and their level of facility with a computer algebra system. If the workshop is full, or you are not eligible, please see the Rose-Hulman shortcourse described below. COST Registration and room and board will be covered by NSF. The only participant cost is transportation to the workshop. CONTACT The course is part of the NSF Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement (UFE) Program. If you would like an application, please Email NSF.Workshop@Rose-Hulman.edu, FAX (812) 877-8895, or call (812) 877-8143. _____________________________________________________________________ In addition to the workshop described above we are offering the following shortcourse for engineering, mathematics & computer science faculty with little or no symbolic algebra experience: "Using Computer Algebra to Teach Engineering" The NSF workshop is for faculty with some experience using CAS in teaching. For faculty with little or no experience using CAS who would like to learn how to incorporate CAS into their classroom, Rose-Hulman is hosting a 4-day shortcourse from 16-June to 19-June-1993. The shortcourse will be much like the workshop, except that its audience is not restricted by experience or geography. During the shortcourse we will offer a tutorial on Maple or Mathematica (your choice). We will also disseminate results from the 1992 NSF workshop. NSF is not funding this shortcourse, therefore anyone can participate (unlike the workshop). Unfortunately without such funding we have to charge a fee of $800 to cover our costs. This fee will cover room, board, materials, etc. Since we can't guess what the demand will be for this shortcourse, we are asking for a $50 deposit (which will count toward the registration fee) with each application. If we get 20 deposits by 23-April-1993, the course will run. If not, the $50 deposits will be returned. Please Email to RHIT.Shortcourse@Rose-Hulman.edu or contact Dr. David Purdy at 812-877-8321 or for an application if you are interested. ___________________________________________________________________ continued in issue 6.8