Classroom Activity: The Integration of Scilab into College Calculus

Powerful computers and mathematics programming languages, such as MATLAB © and Scilab™, offer opportunities to build a clear understanding of the key concepts of mathematics, science, and engineering. MATLAB © is a powerful computing and graphing tool widely used in academia and industry. Many college students, however, will not need or be able to afford MATLAB © to enhance their learning of mathematics. Scilab™ is a free open-source alternative to MATLAB © that allows students to experience a mathematics programming language and some of the opportunity for learning that such software provides. It allows interested teachers to introduce students to mathematics concepts through experiential learning that can build their mathematical confidence, creativity, and ability to communicate mathematically. In this paper, we will demonstrate some of the basic features of Scilab™ software and its educational use as an introductory mathematical programming language in college calculus.