Wolfram|Alpha: Computational Knowledge Engine That Benefits Students and Teachers

Although I currently am not taking any mathematics courses, Wolfram|Alpha certainly has the capacity to be a valuable homework or study tool. In particular, its ability to handle calculus functions such as differential equations and integration, even providing visual representation for graphs and series, would have been an immensely helpful tool when I took AP Calculus in high school. Similarly, the details the engine can provide for chemicals and measurements, such as acceleration, would have been equally helpful for science classes. Also, the financial analysis that it can perform on stocks is complex for any type of online information source, and having recently discovered its use of hard-to-find indicators such as visual representations of volatility, I’ll most likely begin to use these functions when investing.

Wolfram|Alpha would have been significantly helpful for Business Statistics (Econ 202) which I completed last semester. Wolfram|Alpha can calculate descriptive statistics, display distributions, and perform regression analysis much more rapidly than can be completed by hand or with Microsoft Excel as taught in class. Frequently, in order to complete more detailed problems such as hypothesis testing, statistical indicators such as standard deviation must first be calculated. Wolfram|Alpha could have helped to save time without adversely affecting or hindering my learning of the underlying concepts.

My work experience has taught be how to work effectively with others and communicate my ideas quickly and succulently. I have developed a strong work ethic, and have been commended as a reliable employee. I have also taught complex topics, frequently technology-based, to students and developed the ability to show th...

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...table resource for repetitive activities. Teaching assistants in particular often try to give advice to students and show them useful online resources. Create specialized marketing booklets specifically designed for instructors that show which resources Wolfram|Alpha could replace. These materials should present Wolfram|Alpha as a more reliable and reputable alternative to user driven sites such as Wikipedia or Answers.com for information. These packets can also serve two purposes, as they should also show instructors how Wolfram|Alpha can assist them. The simple and visual nature of Wolfram|Alpha makes it a useful resource for displaying information that they may wish to lecture on, as they can display maps, images, graphs, and charts on the same page. Teachers can also use it as a useful site for collecting information to later be used in slide shows or handouts.