One of the most important ideas behind the Connected Curriculum Project is active student involvement in their learning. Every module within the project should engage and involve students actively doing things.
Computer Algebra Systems
We will eventually support the TI-92, Maple, Mathematica, and MathCad. Most modules should have TI-92, Maple, and Mathematica material now. For most modules students should open a CAS window. They should arrange the CAS window and the browser window on the desktop so that they overlap and it is easy to move back-and-forth between the two windows by clicking on the inactive window to make it active. We think of the browser window (this window) as an orchestra conductor, coordinating the students' work in their CAS window or with a calculator. We expect students to make their own choice to open a CAS window and use it. The picture below shows the four pairs of buttons in the navigation frame that lead to the CAS material and CAS help. The browser window should ask students many questions and refer them to specific as well as more open-ended work in the CAS window.
Hands-on work with the Texas Instrument CBL
Whenever possible, modules should include some hands-on laboratory work as well -- perhaps, but not necessarily using the Texas Instruments CBL. Look, for example, at the Connected Before Calculus module The Sound of Trigonometry to see how CAS and the CBL can be integrated into a module.
Java Applets
Java applets should be used for more structured kinds of interaction. Java applets and CAS have complementary advantages and disadvantages. Java applets are generally easier to use and more structured but CAS work is more open-ended and students develop skills that are more generally useful. See Java.