This site contains a collection of applets for helping students to visualize some of the concepts and canonical problems found in Calculus I and Trigonometry.
Type of Material:
Collection/Simulation
Recommended Uses:
The applets in this collection could be used for in-class demonstrations and self-guided study.
Technical Requirements:
Any browser. One applet does require Java 1.4.2 or later.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The main goal of this site is to illustrate and aid users in visualization of concepts.
Target Student Population:
Undergraduate students enrolled in Calculus I or Trigonometry.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Calculus 1, Trigonometry For some applets, users may need a basic understanding sage/python.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site contains a rather large collection of interactive applets that visualize important topics of Calculus. In addition to the applets that deal with elaborated graphing of functions, there are many that highlight some major concepts of differential and integral Calculus. A clear description for each applet is provided on the main page. Within each applet a short description and brief directions may also be provided. These applets could be very useful to students who may have difficulty in visualizing, including graphing sine and cosine functions, the squeeze theorem, and related rate problems.
Concerns:
There do a appear to be a couple of errors in the python code for some of the applets involving Sage.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Both instructor and student can benefit from the applet collection in this site. On one hand, students can use the applets for class assignments and for visualizing some important topics related to their classes. In addition, students can use the numerical part as a comparison to theoretical part when they want to do mathematical investigation for a certain topic of interest. On the other hand, instructors can use this site to create assignments, use it in class for visualization purposes, and develop class projects with resources to use one the available applets.
Concerns:
Students who are already struggling with the material may having difficulty understanding the visualizations on their own. Related section numbers are listed for each applet. It may be helpful to include the name of the textbook being used.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Students and instructors can access the material in this site easily using all the clickable links. The applets are intuitive and easy to use. Also, each applet is very interactive, colorful, and visually appealing. Each applet has short instructions and description on how to use it.
Concerns:
The concern is that the visual information in this collection may not be accessible to visually impaired students.
Creative Commons:
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