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 Ratings
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| Reviewed: |
Jun 12, 2008 by Mathematics |
| Overview: |
This is a collection of animation that interactively demonstration 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional geometrical concepts from geometry, calculus and vector calculus. |
| Learning Goals: |
To visualize analytic geometrical concepts via animation and interactivity. |
| Target Student Population: |
geometry, calculus, and vector calculus students |
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
For most of the visualizations, a basic knowledge of calculus. |
| Type of Material: |
Collection, Simulation |
| Recommended Uses: |
classroom demos, student exploration |
| Technical Requirements: |
Requires a "Java-enabled" browser. |
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| Strengths: |
This is a collection of 40 animations, some with limited interactivity. Included are animations that demonstrate concepts from Euclidean geometry and the first three semesters of calculus. Many of the animations come from topics with which students have a low comfort level. The three dimensional renderings are each meant to point out one specific concept that can best be understood with a computer visualization. The student can grab the object with a mouse and rotate and move it to get another perspective. Some of the objectives include interactivity where the student can grab a point and move it to watch the associated geometric objects change. For example there is an activity where the student moves a tile through a grid and the corresponding tile in polar coordinates also move. The main page includes a key to instructors on the most effective, somewhat effective, and barely usable animations. It is well formatted, containing both titles and small graphics that indicate what the animation will show. |
| Concerns: |
Although a few of the animations are accompanied by an explanation of the topic, most are not supported in this way. |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
This collection will serve as a powerful demonstration of the concepts by the instructor or an exploration session where the student can work in a computer lab. Many of these can be an effective part of an explanation on theory. For example when an instructor is discussing volumes by washers, the activity can be pulled up and the student can not only see the washer, but can also see the radii changing as the center moves along the x-axis. |
| Concerns: |
Occasionally and not consistently, one reviewers computer failed to open some of the objects. |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
There are instructions on how to use each of the objects. Navigation was simple and when a point or other construct can be manipulated, it is clear how to accomplish the task. Students will have no trouble working with the animations. |
| Concerns: |
Occasionally and not consistently, one reviewers computer failed to open some of the objects. |
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