Enabling Web-access to a Database of Calculus Problems Using LATEX, PHP and LATEX2HTML
Kalle Saastamoinen, Jaakko Ketola,
Tuukka Kurppa and Liisa Torikka
Lappeenranta University of Technology
kalle.saastamoinen@lut.fi
Wednesday July 23, 2003
Enabling Web-access to a Database of Calculus Problems Using LATEX, PHP and LATEX2HTML
Kalle Saastamoinen, Jaakko Ketola,
Tuukka Kurppa and Liisa Torikka
Lappeenranta University of Technology
kalle.saastamoinen@lut.fi
Wednesday July 23, 2003
In the beginning of 2002, we initiated an investigation to develop
possible solutions for providing the material used in the teaching
of calculus to students at Lappeenranta University of Technology.
We decided to write the pages in question in the LATEX language.
We also wanted to use database and network solutions for the
finalized version of these pages. We had chosen to use network
solutions because the material, which is available on the Internet
i) is easy to reuse, transform and combine with other materials;
ii) can be easily accessed at least with fast connections;
iii) is accessible 24 hours a day;
iv) can be accessed by many users.
We wanted to use a database in order to provide students with tools
for performing searches on the calculus information. The students
can then study the material that they feel is the most interesting
and then hopefully begin to carry out their own research and form
a view of mathematics. Therefore we have taken a constructivist
approach to the learning process. The LATEX-files, which are
entered into the database with all the necessary keywords, form
the core of the solution. Based on the keywords, the database
knows where each file is located. It includes information, from
the area of mathematics, on whether the file is an exercise,
solution, hint or information. The database alters the user's view
of its contents by using the keywords that are included in the
above-mentioned base LATEX files. Now, any of our lecturers can
contribute new material to the database by using a very simple
interface and LATEX. Lecturers can also easily combine weekly
tutorials and even whole examinations from the contents of the
database. So far, we have stored hundreds of exercises with hints
and solutions on our web server in addition to some theory that we
felt is necessary for the students. In this paper, we present the
complete procedure from the creation of the LATEX files to a
functioning Web-environment.
Wendy McKay
2003-12-20
