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A. Mathwise is a computer-based learning package for mathematics.
Q. What topics does Mathwise cover?
A. Mathwise covers most topics in pre-university and first year courses and some key topics in second year university courses in Mathematics, Science and Engineering.
Q. Where can I obtain a copy of Mathwise?
A. Mathwise is available in different forms.
These are the commercial versions and the TLTP version.
| The commercial versions are on sale
from the following supplier: |
The TLTP version is available to UKHE
via an FTP server
The address, username and password are available on request from: |
| Numerical Algorithms Group
Wilkinson House Jordan Hill Road Oxford OX2 8DR Tel: 01865 311323
Email: mathwise@nag.co.uk |
LTSN Maths, Stats & OR Network School of Mathematics and Statistics University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT Tel: 0121 414 7095 Email: info@mathstore.ac.uk |
Q. How much does it cost to buy a copy of the commercial releases of Mathwise?
A. The Mathwise v2.1 pre-Calculus Cluster CD is now available at the following prices:
Educational:
UK: Departmental license is £250 + VAT, Site license is £750
+ VAT
Non-UK: Departmental license is £425 + VAT, Site license is £1275
+
VAT
Special offer prices for the UK valid until December 31st 1999: Secondary schools £125 + VAT, Single user license of £34 + VAT
Commercial:
Single
User license £95 + VAT, Ten User license £125 + VAT
Site license £2550 + VAT
For more information please contact Numerical Algorithms Group (NAG).
Q. Does Mathwise contain any formal assessment?
A. An assessment package developed in the early phase of Mathwise does exist. This package was subsequently used by the SUMSMAN Project (Scottish Universities Mathematics and Statistics across the Metropolitan Area Networks) to create further end-of-module assessments for some core Mathwise modules.
Questions are chosen randomly from banks of questions containing random parameters so no two students receive the same test. The test can be taken in one of four modes from "Help" to "Exam" in which the amount of feedback varies: from ticks and crosses on screen at each step with the opportunity to reveal answers if stuck; to no visible help on screen but with the questions still being graded in the background. An Input Tool is available to help the students view their one-line mathematical expression in the usual mathematical format "live" on screen as they type. In addition, the questions have been designed with "key steps" and "additional steps" to give students the chance to gain partial credit marks in any formal assessments. Each university can configure the tests to suit their own requirements and look at the marks after the test if they wish.
Q. Are there any support materials available for Mathwise (such as worksheets or textbooks)?
A. There are currently no support materials being distributed with Mathwise. However, many Mathwise users have developed their own support materials (both paper-based and on-line) which have been donated to a central pool on the Mathwise User Group web site.
Q. Is it possible to re-arrange the order of the modules as they appear on the CD?
A. The contents of the Mathwise modules are based on the SEFI syllabus and were numbered to correspond with the paragraphs in the original report. However, as time has progressed modules have been added which did not fit in with this numbering, so it was dropped, but the modules kept their original order. Changing the order in which they appear is a simple matter since any text editor can be used to reorder them in the "Mw.ini" file on the local installation. Similarly, by removing the relevant entry particular modules can be removed from the view of the Courseware Manager.
Q. How do I add my own material to Mathwise?
A. Any new material that you wish to add to the Mathwise system must first be made available by creating a Mathwise index file, using the program MWINDEX.EXE, which should be placed in the same directory as any new material. Then edit the "mw.ini" file and add a reference to the new index file in the [modules] section. The new material need not be Toolbook nor Authorware files, as other file types may be accommodated by adding to the [associations] section of the "mw.ini" file . Although the material is now added to the system you will only be able to access it through the entry-unit if at least one of the items is defined as Module.
A. There is no date dependency in the Mathwise system, it is therefore year 2000 compliant.