This site contains an interactive introductory tutorial on real numbers. It includes real line representation, ordering, absolute value definition, etc. Special attention is paid to rational and irrational numbers.
Type of Material:
Tutorial
Recommended Uses:
This site can be used for individual exploration and learning.
Technical Requirements:
JavaScript enabled browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To provide a learning tool that helps in understanding of some basic concepts of the real number system.
Target Student Population:
Students in Pre-Calculus or Pre-Algebra.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Arithmetic.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site provides a clear and interactive introductory lesson on real number system. Contents include real line representation of numbers, ordering, and absolute value definition. Focus is put on rational and irrational numbers as well as conversion of rational numbers from fractional to decimal form. This learning module includes both text based explanations and quizzes for students to check their understanding of the topic. All definitions and important concepts are highlighted and linked to hovering call-out boxes providing additional explanations. Drag-and-drop quizzes help visual learners to better understand the concept. This site contains a very large variety of presentation types and interactive activities including text, video, graphics, multiple choice, matching, and fill in the blank questions.
Concerns:
The Handouts and the More Resources boxes block some of the content making the text difficult to read in two places. The Real Number page states “Whenever we take the square root of a number that is not a perfect square, we get an irrational number.” It should specify that the number must be positive. Also there is a quiz problem that expects a student to recognize an absolute value before the section on absolute values is given.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This tool could serve as a supplement for a student who is learning about the real number system in a standard Pre-Algebra, Pre-Calculus or College Algebra course. The module could also be easily used as a part of a self-guided study. The site provides feedback on the answers given on the quizzes.
Concerns:
It was difficult to assess the audience that this was geared towards.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is well designed and includes an interactive table of contents. The quizzes were intuitive to use and the content flows naturally.
Concerns:
Unlike other modules created with SoftChalk this particular one opens in a window inside a browser which makes it less convenient to use.
Creative Commons:
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