Applications of Linear Algebra Part 1

Applications of Linear Algebra Part 1 is a light, activity-focused introduction to linear algebra offered by Davidson University through edX. The course is suitable for anyone who is curious about what linear algebra is and how it can be used in the real world, including high school students and advanced junior high students. The course doesn't go deep into the math, but rather focuses on thinking about data in terms of matrices and illustrating linear algebra operations with activities. The materials span 7 units that include activities ranging from image manipulation and animation to cryptography and sports prediction. Grading is very relaxed as you have unlimited attempts on comprehension quizzes and the remainder of the points are based on the activities.

If you've taken a linear algebra course before, this class will be very easy, but you can still get some entertainment out of the activities and learn a bit about sports prediction. One of the biggest failings of math education is a heavy focus on rote repetition, which disconnects math from the real world and makes it boring. Applications of Linear Algebra is the type of course that is needed to raise interest in math. It introduces concepts at a digestible pace suitable for beginners and almost every lecture video that teaches a new concept is followed by an activity devoted to seeing that concept in action. Professor Chartier is clear and personable even though he seems to be working off a script--something that is not easy to do. The video quality is good and the activities, while simple, are illustrative. You can complete each week's material in an hour or less, but you can certainly spend a lot more time if you play around with the activities.

Applications of Linear Algebra Part 1 is great course to get beginners interested in linear algebra by getting their hands on fun activities as quickly as possible. I hope to see Professor Chartier carry the same formula into Applications of Linear Algebra Part 2.

I give part 1 of Applications of Linear Algebra Part 5 out of 5 stars: Excellent.