THE MATHWRIGHT LIBRARY NEWSLETTER, Holiday Issue Dec 2001, VOL 3, #8
A publication of Bluejay Lispware
James E. White, Editor

The official publication of the New Mathwright Library and Café:

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In this issue:

1] A New Resource for Teachers
2] Try our Free MasterMind Microworld

1] A New Resource for Teachers

If you teach mathematics, either in a classroom, course, or homeschool context, and you are wondering how you may use our books to supplement your teaching, we just had an idea. When you join the library, you may download any books you want, to any machine, by just typing your name. Well, just instruct any of your students, in any of your classes, to use your name to download and read any books in the Library on their machines! They may thus read the books you recommend at home or in class or lab, without any red tape, and without having to join the library themselves. And, they may choose at any time to browse for other books that interest them.

We view ourselves primarily as a resource for teachers. And we would, frankly, like to recruit new teachers into our ranks of Mathwright Authors. Be that as it may, we know that the best way to make that happen is to convince you of the power and range of our smart, lively, and interactive books. We are confident that, as you begin to use them in your teaching, you will see in what ways they offer you entirely new and effective strategies for bringing mathematics to life for your students.

And, remember, you may now test drive any 3 books in the Library (that you choose) for free before you join. So there is really nothing to lose. If you need to know your password, visit the Get your Password page in the Piazza, and we will remind you what it is. Of course, all of the Reader programs for these books (including the 3D books, now) are free downloads.

2] Free MasterMind Microworld

Speaking of free stuff, we have just added a new Microworld called MasterMind. You will find it on the Free Stuff page, and may read it either in your Browser or in the Mathwright32 Reader. It is a free demonstration Microworld, and does not count as one of the "first 3 free." You may download it directly, without a password, whenever you want. MasterMind is a game of deductive reasoning. Our Microworld explains how to play it, and it lets you play. And then it plays the game in a way that will, if you study its technique, teach you to play like a master (mind). It is a nice example of Artificial Intelligence programming, and was written (believe it or not) by a college Sophomore!

There is a WorkBook version already in the Library, and many of you have seen it. But we made the Microworld a free demo in order to encourage you to experiment and learn how Microworlds work. Microworlds represent a new technology for the web that goes beyond Applets, and offer many more options than applets can. It is well worth your time to learn what they are about, and how they work.

Happy Holidays!

James E. White, Ph.D.

Library Director