Presenting Mathematical Concepts on the World Wide Web
Preliminary Syllabus
Warning: This is a working draft, subject to change without notice.
1997 Course Dates
Preliminary Course Description
The workshop will provide both a comprehensive survey and plenty of
hands-on experience in using the World-Wide Web to communicate
mathematical ideas at all levels, from research results to educational
materials. It will include:
- mathematical "typesetting" on the Web:
using native browser capabilities, helper applications, or new and
innovative hybrid techniques;
- scientific visualization:
creating mathematical images, graphics, and animations, and
including them in Web pages;
- specialized mathematical tools:
an introduction to both freely and commercially available software
useful in conjunction with mathematical Web pages;
- interactive mathematics (server side):
interfacing Web pages with other programs via forms and scripts;
- interactive mathematics (client side):
using plug-ins or applets to deliver mathematical routines;
- design and management:
issues and principles for a range of materials, from individual
documents to extensive web sites.
Technical Requirements:
The minimum requirements for participation are:
- a network connection, via either a direct link (e.g., ethernet) or
dial-in using a modem at a minimum of 14.4 kbps (28.8 recommended),
- a web browser that is capable of handling frames, Java, and
plug-ins (e.g., Netscape 2.0 for Unix or Windows, or Netscape
3.0 for the Macintosh),
- a file-transfer utility (i.e., ftp), and
- electronic mail.
Participants who choose to work on server-side interactive mathematics
activities will also need to have read / write access to their local
web server (not just their own local directory). Alternatively,
participants with telnet capabilities will be able to obtain temporary
access to a web server that will be made available to practice such
activities during the course.
Intended Audience:
This workshop is intended for faculty members, postdoctoral fellows,
and graduate students in mathematics, or others with responsibility
for developing and maintaining web sites that include mathematical
content.
There will be a maximum of 25 participants per session and priority
will be given to groups of two or more from a single site; however,
others are welcome if enrollment permits.
Participants should have a basic familiarity with computers and their
use, and experience in using one or more of the most common pieces of
editing software. While we do not assume that participants will have
extensive experience with HTML-coding prior to the workshop, you
should at least know how to use the View Document Source
feature of your browser and be able to read and understand a few of
the more basic codes (e.g., headings, ordered and unordered lists,
paragraphs and breaks).
Additional Considerations:
- Participants will work on Web projects throughout the course.
Applicants must indicate on their application form one or more
potential projects they want to develop during the course.
- Prior to the course, participants will be instructed to download
and install some publicly-available software tools.
Some readings may be distributed, at cost, through the U.S. Mail.
During the course, the world wide web and electronic mail will be used
for assignments and discussions.
For more information:
Contact Carol Scheftic via email:
scheftic@geom.umn.edu
Back:
Course Announcement
(with links to application forms)
Comments to:
scheftic@geom.umn.edu
Created: Dec 1 1996 ---
Last modified: May 29 1997 at 17:04 CST
Copyright © 1996-1997 by
Carol Scheftic.
All rights reserved.