This is an entire online course, incorporating text, graphics, animations, and simulations.
Recommended Uses:
Since there is no charge for the use of this site, it could be used as an online text for a fractal geometry course. Portions of the site could be used independently.
Technical Requirements:
Some activities include Java applets that require Java version 1.3
Identify Major Learning Goals:
This site is designed to give the user a thorough understanding of fractals at an introductory level.
Target Student Population:
College mathematics students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
College algebra.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site?s content is of the highest quality. Explanations and results are accurate, thorough, and carefully presented. It covers a tremendous amount of good mathematics while requiring no more prerequisites than college algebra and an inquisitive mind.
Its coverage of introductory fractal geometry and related topics is extensive. Besides the necessary elementary treatments of IFS, Mandelbrot and Julia sets, and non-integral dimensions, the course includes treatments of: fractals in literature, art, music, and the stock market; cellular automata, neural networks, Brownian motion, percolation, chaos (including control of chaos and synchronization of chaotic systems), multifractals, and more.
Simulations (in the form of Java applets) with associated activities are available to allow students to develop a hands-on, concrete, enhanced understanding of the more abstract concepts addressed by the course. Two of these are reviewed elsewhere in MERLOT (please see the links above).
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This site is extremely effective. While it covers a large amount of material, it does so in small increments that allow users to digest a manageable amount of new material before moving on. Individual lessons are clearly and carefully written, and make abundant use of well-chosen graphics, animations, and simulations. A variety of well-designed lab activities are available, some software-based and others not.
It would be possible to pick and choose one?s way through this site to construct a shorter course on fractal geometry, part of a course on fractals and chaos, or even individual lessons to be used in a course of this nature.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Navigation of the site is easy and intuitive. Applets, where included, are similarly easy to use.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
