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Teaching Interests
- Problem Solving with Computers - I have developed several courses
that teach computer-based problem solving to engineers. These courses have
employed Mathematica, Maple, Matlab, Excel, Pascal, FORTRAN 90, and C++ to
explore applied numerical methods for solving engineering equations. Some of
the materials I use in these courses evolved into a
web site for problem solving. I've written two articles written in this
style:
- J. P. Blanchard, Using Spreadsheets to Teach Engineering Problem
Solving: Differential and Integral Equations, Comp. Ed., VIII (3), 1998,
6
- S. Bilbao y Leon, R. Ulfig, and J. Blanchard, Teaching the Numerical
Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations Using Excel 5.0, Comp. Apps.
Eng. Ed., 4, 1996, 117
Tools for Computation - Because of the courses mentioned
above, I have an interest in the numerous tools available for
problem solving. I have
some videos on various
aspects of Matlab as well as some written materials with
sample code (m-files). I also have
some videos on Excel,
especially for VBA (macro) development.
Learning Technology - I have long had an interest in the use of
computers in education. I have used live simulation, streaming media, Java
applets, web-conferencing, and asynchronous forums for teaching a wide
variety of courses to both on-campus and off-campus
students. Click here for
some videos that introduce Excel and Matlab
as problem solving tools.
Distance Education - I have been teaching at a distance for more
than 20 years now. I began with videotaped lectures in the late 1980s and
now use webconferencing, WebCT, and narrated presentations (made with
Camtasia) to teach problem solving to practicing engineers pursuing a
Master's degree. Samples of these videos, introducing viewers to
Matlab and writing Macros in Excel, can be found at http://blanchard.ep.wisc.edu/.(See the MEPP program
below for more details).
PDAs for Distance Education - I am using handheld computers in my distance courses, in
the interest of helping students integrate their distance education
experiences into their lifestyle and help them remain lifelong learners.
Introductory Matlab and Excel Videos
Some Introductory Matlab Materials
Other
Course Materials
