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| Reviewed: |
Jun 29, 2008 by Mathematics |
| Overview: |
This site contains a large collection of tutorial resources. The math topics covered include Pre-calculus, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Probability, and applications of mathematics in physics and engineering. Many of the tutorials include interactive Java-based applets that help with deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. |
| Learning Goals: |
To provide tutorials in various areas of mathematics, including precalculus, calculus, geometry, and statistics. |
| Target Student Population: |
Undergraduate students taking courses in any of the areas covered. |
| Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills: |
Basic algebra. |
| Type of Material: |
This material is designed as tutorials, but many of the applets could also be used in classroom demonstrations. |
| Recommended Uses: |
In-class demonstration or as a part of a guided or self-guided study. |
| Technical Requirements: |
A Java-enabled Web browser. |
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| Strengths: |
: This site contains a wealth of tutorial resources, both interactive and non-interactive, in algebra, calculus, geometry, probability and statistics. The non-interactive resources include solved problems and practice quizzes (some inside applets). The interactive resources mostly involve guided assignments using graph-based applets. While some of these assignments are straightforward, such as finding the number of x-intercepts on a graph, many others explore deeper concepts such as the relationship between the difference quotient of a function and the slope of a tangent line. These deeper explorations are generally experiment-based in that the student is instructed to change various parameters and observe the results. All of the graphs expand to full screen which should make them useful also for classroom demonstrations. |
| Concerns: |
None. |
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Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool |
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| Strengths: |
With clear and ample instructions and detailed examples, students seeking help in undergraduate mathematics should be well-rewarded by visiting this site. However, the more sophisticated interactive tutorials may require the aid of an instructor. This is not the fault of the site; it is simply a recognition that learning through experimentation requires skills and motivation that many students lack. And while the site says nothing about its value for classroom demonstrations, there is obviously a great potential here. |
| Concerns: |
None. |
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Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty |
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| Strengths: |
Most of the Java applets are intuitive and easy to use. There is quite adequate instruction provided for the technical aspects throughout the site, and the problems and solutions are well-explained. Even in the non-interactive parts, one finds a great number of illustrative graphs. |
| Concerns: |
Initially, some of the applets would not work in Firefox. After upgrading Java and then re-installing the upgrade, these difficulties seem to be resolved. Internet Explorer played all the applets without a hitch.
While most applets are easy to use, there are exceptions. For example, the Explore Graphs of Functions applet requires the use an edit box in the pull-down menu. Finding this and using it to change parameter values and function definitions is awkward.
While navigation is straightforward for the most part, for a site as complex as this one with many interconnecting hyperlinked topics, a subject index would be highly desirable. So, for example, if one were studying the derivative and could look that up in the subject index, all examples, quizzes, and applets pertaining to the derivative could be easily explored. As it is, one must click on all calculus topics both in the table of contents and in the left-hand margin of the front page and then search the linking pages for references to the derivative. It is a bit slow and cumbersome. |
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