In this post, I describe my goals for my Applied Linear Algebra Fundamentals (ALAF) textbook. I started work on this textbook in 2013 and continue to build, refine, and improve my writing on a daily basis. I present the larger vision for this work and also provide links to my current progress on this book.
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ALAF Update: Draft Table of Contents
Today I share a draft table of contents for the Applied Linear Algebra Fundamentals textbook. I’ve been working on this for over a decade. If I’m able to write the book I believe the future generations of linear algebra students deserve, I guess this work will be over 1000 pages. In this textbook, I want to invite students to engage in real-world modeling activities directly related to their academic and career interests. I also want to give learners the opportunity along with lots of support to learn how to code linear algebraic operations. I want to guide readers in learning how to use the code they write to make meaningful progress on the modeling problems they study.
One fun feature of the work I’m creating is that I do NOT want to constrain students to simply solving abstract problems. Instead, I want to create a large library of applied linear algebra laboratory experiences that invite students to observe, measure, and play with real-world systems as a fundamental part of how they learn linear algebra. One difficulty that arises when imaging this model is that in order for learners to do deep modeling using linear algebra, they will need access to a companion textbook and learning resources that delivers content to support their modeling activities. I have never seen a textbook author attempt to do anything like what I believe our students deserve. This project is designed to fill in the gaps and make modeling possible with no required paywall for students. I want to crowd fund this textbook so that we can offer this work to the community with no required paywall.
Deep in my heart, I believe we should offer introductory linear algebra as a four-quarter (three semester) class sequence with an optional fifth quarter for students who want to dive deeper. Below are some resources that speak more about this vision:
- Let’s Re-Imagine Undergraduate Math Education
- Some research behind my push to re-imagine college math education
- More Linear Algebra Please
- More Linear Algebra!
In this post I share my current vision for the different sections of this book. You can find that draft in the .pdf linked below. In the coming weeks, month, and years, I will be releasing updated, revised and edited sections of this book. Enjoy!
Jeff Anderson 