Teaching differential equations in different environments: A first approach

The use of specific softwares was the basis for a new approach for teaching ordinary and partial differential equations, in the field of heat transfer and fluid mechanics. The main objective was to enhance learning effectiveness of Numerical Methods in the post‐graduate course of Polymers Engineering at the University of Minho. This degree takes place into two different environments: at the university campus and at the industrial field. Different commercial codes were used, namely EXCEL, MATLAB, and FLUENT, as well as two tools developed in house at University of Minho: CoNum and a graphics application PDE v.1. Lectures were based on videoconferencing and other web utilities. The teaching methodology presented and discussed in this article was well received and accepted by the post‐graduate students, motivating teachers to improve their teaching/learning strategies.