Electronic lectures for the mathematical subjects in computer science

Abstract

In this paper we share our experience in the design of electronic lectures for theoretical subjects. The basis for our discussion are experiments for designing electronic lectures in Set Theory using the potential of contemporary computers and multimedia. The motivation for initiating such a project was the fact that teaching abstract subjects is always problematic and that the arising problems are much more serious in the new South African environment. We expect that electronic lectures can make the abstract subjects alive, touchable and more immediate. In addition they can support self-study and distance education. At first sight it might seem that in essence an electronic presentation cannot change the exposition of a formal theoretical subject significantly. We will analyse a typical mathematical text, reveal its different structural levels and show on this basis the benefits of its electronic presentation. The applicability of the multimedia techniques will also be discussed. A demonstration of real software will support the presented ideas.