Learning Discrete Mathematics and Computer Science
via Primary Historical Sources

Student comments on post-course questionnaires concerning the benefits of learning from historical sources reveal:

• "One can learn how math works and how it was derived."
• "We develop an appreciation for the progression of mathematics."
• "Shows the process from an observation to a theorem."
• "As a student you get to see where the math we do today came from and engage in the kind of thinking that was necessary to create it."
• "You get to learn not just the rules and theorems, but how and why they were developed."
• "You learn the concept."
• "See why a certain type of mathematics was created and it's easier then to see its purpose."
• "I like to see where everything comes from and how it works, especially when I am able to make sense of it."
• "It gives me an insight into the concepts we now know as established. This helps me understand the mathematics better."
• "We learn that just because we haven't found the answer to something, that doesn't mean it can't be done."
• "It allows me to obtain a broader perspective of the foundations of computer science."
• "Shows us how we reached the advanced stages of computing we are in today."
• "Understand the ideas behind these monster proofs and theorems."