New Visualization Tools
Calculus Carnival at Holomirrors, like the grandparent of such environments, Amusement Park Physics, is just under development...
Links
CyberMath demonstrates math concepts using 3D visualization power to offer a real-time forum where live math is explored.
Parameters can be physically manipulated and visually displayed at the Japanese Java site. Measurement of forces such as acceleration, heat, and time are available at measure.
A related project, ESCOT, sponsored by NSF and others, has sprung up at SRI in the Center for Learning and Technology. Its focus is directed towards understanding how knowledge-building teams collaborate.
The Calculus and Mathematica site at the University of Illinois has extended one of the older visualization software approaches to the Internet. Unlike some of the Java applets at EdEconomy this site addresses high school studies. It has been soundly tested for effective learning.
Explore Learning, origibnally a dissertation project, allows students to visualize and alter parameters in topics such as mechanics and life sciences. Specific labs include mouse genetics, golf range motion, orbit simulators, etc. Such labs will allow manipulations that are far more complex to implement in the real world.
The Bioanim site utilizes VRML for interactive learning about cells and tissue.
See Also
Annotation
While many elementary school teachers hold to the theory that hands-on math facilitates learning, secondary teachers become concerned when students cannot master abstractions, especially along more than one dimension. While some practitioners enjoy heated debates between opposing viewpoints (e.g. whole language versus phonics), we take the view that sound teaching can draw upon multiple methods. These sites' lessons can be easily coordinated with hands-on materials, because the graphicality and friendliness suit such a blend.
