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As Professor Mathes can tell you, writing lectures "is very time-consuming for a
detail-oriented lecturer." Not only does conducting research for lectures take time,
so does creating the accompanying tests and exercises. Often, the instructor must
create additional resources to help convey information to accommodate varying learning
styles. Mathes admits, "I used to spend two hours a night throughout the semester
preparing for class, now I can prepare for the whole semester in just two hours
a week."
Textbooks and a Whole Lot More
Professor Mathes took advantage of the array of Instructional Resources that accompany
the Cengage Course Technology textbook.
Together, the book and resources:
- Present information in a clear, easy-to-use layout, with plenty of graphical illustrations
and hands-on exercises
- Address the spectrum of learning styles, from visual to hearing to tactile
- Include accurate screen captures in the book and in presentations, so students can
see exactly what will occur while they are programming
"There is no ambiguity with this style," says Mathes. And, he adds, "It's not just
a reference book, it walks the student through from front to back. In other words,
the book provides instruction, not just facts you would look up as you would in
a dictionary."
Online All the Time
In addition to providing these resources, the Shelly/Cashman Series gives both students
and instructors access to the authors' Web site, http://www.scsite.com/.
This Web site contains a wealth of additional resources, including activities, data
files and even practice tests, which students can take repeatedly to test their
knowledge in preparation for an exam.
"One of the best features of this textbook is the online practice tests. Every online
practice test is unique, so I can keep testing myself on relevant material. Answering
different questions on each practice test gives me strong grasp of the subject matter
before taking the actual exam."
- Ellen Tuckett, graduate student
Education Thrives
Mathes greatly appreciates the time saved and quality gained by using Cengage Course
Technology materials. As an adjunct professor, he teaches part-time in addition
to working a full-time job and coaching children's soccer and baseball. Any means
of reducing the time he spends preparing for lectures leaves him more time for his
family. And Mathes' students value the extra information he can provide to help
them excel in their education.
Books in the Shelly Cashman Series are available separately, bundled together, or
bound in any combination into a single volume using the Shelly Cashman Series Custom
Edition program.
The Shelly Cashman Series is offered by Cengage Course
Technology, a part of Cengage Learning.
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