A Reappraisal of Online Mathematics Teaching Using LaTeX

Authors

  • Eamon Costello Dublin City University
  • Seamus Fox Dublin City University
  • Elaine Walsh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v4i4.970

Keywords:

online learning, LaTeX, mathematics teaching

Abstract


The mathematics language LaTeX is often seen outside of academic circles as a legacy technology that is awkward to use. MathML - a verbose language designed for data-exchange, and to be written and understood by machines - is sometimes by contrast seen as something that will aid online mathematics and lack of browser support for it bemoaned. However LaTeX can already do many of the things that MathML might promise. LaTeX is here proposed as a language from which small fragments, with concise syntax, can be used by people to easily create and share mathematical expressions online. The capability to embed fragments of LaTeX code in online discussions is described here and its impact on a group of educators and learners evaluated. Here LaTeX is posited as a useful tool for facilitating asynchronous, online, collaborative learning of mathematics.

Author Biographies

Eamon Costello, Dublin City University

eLearning Specialist - Oscail Distance Education Centre, Dublin City University

Seamus Fox, Dublin City University

Academic Coordinator , Oscail Distance Education Centre, Dublin City University

Elaine Walsh

eLearning Specialist - Oscail Distance Education Centre, Dublin City University

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Published

2009-11-30

How to Cite

Costello, E., Fox, S., & Walsh, E. (2009). A Reappraisal of Online Mathematics Teaching Using LaTeX. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 4(4), pp. 14–18. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v4i4.970

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Section

Papers