The Delicate Balance: Introducing Complex Software While Teaching The Discipline's Concepts

Several disciplines have been revolutionized by the development of very powerful yet complex computer software. Statistics and Engineering Graphics are just two examples of subjects in which complex software can assist the understanding of difficult concepts and allow students to be more productive. But along with this revolution in software, there comes a perplexing problem. How does one balance the teaching of the basic concepts of a discipline and also teach complex software? If you concentrate on the software, students may become proficient but dangerous software users. They will not know its proper applications or the reasonableness of their solutions. If you concentrate on basic concepts at the expense of the software, students are not being exposed to the most efficient and effective tools of the respective discipline.