@TechReport{	  it:2006-043,
  author	= {Jarmo Rantakokko},
  title		= {Case-Centered Learning of Scientific Computing},
  institution	= {Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University},
  department	= {Division of Scientific Computing},
  year		= {2006},
  number	= {2006-043},
  month		= sep,
  abstract	= {Traditionally courses in scientific computing teach a
		  large number of methods and algorithms for different
		  mathematical problems. The algorithms are applied on
		  simplified problems and not on real applications. The
		  result is that the students can't see the main thread, they
		  focus only on the details of the methods and don't see the
		  entirety. The students can not put what they learn into
		  perspective and their motivation to study becomes
		  diminished. In this paper we suggest a case-centered
		  approach for learning scientific computing. We use a
		  real-life case, weather prediction, as a starting point for
		  learning. The case is analyzed and discussed in class. To
		  follow up the discussions the students are assigned
		  learning tasks in scientific computing defined from the
		  case analysis. The real-life application connects the
		  different topics in scientific computing together and
		  motivates the students. The response from the students has
		  been positive and the case has increased their
		  understanding of what scientific computing is and what it
		  can be used for.}
}