Peer Review

Mathlets: JAVA Applets for Math Applications

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Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: The site contains a large collection of Java applets addressing different
pre-calculus and calculus topics.
Type of Material:: Simulation.
Recommended Uses:: This collection is an excellent supplement to any calculus or pre-calculus
textbook. It could easily be used in a wide range of science and engineering
classes. These applets could be used by the student or by the professor for
classroom demonstrations.
Technical Requirements:: None.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: To provide a simple demonstration and give visual reinforcements for the
different calculus and pre-calculus topics.
Target Student Population:: Calculus and pre-calculus students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Basic skills in above-mentioned subjects.

Rating:
Strengths:: This is an excellent and very useful collection. While every single applet is
very focused and specialized, the entire collection is well organized and
encompasses a wide variety of topics. Topics include: lines, parabolas,
exponential functions, limits, continuity, tangent lines, mean value theorem,
Newton's method, Riemann sums, and Taylor polynomials as well as many others.
The applets are excellent, fast implementations that handle almost all
continuous situations (and some discontinuous ones) very well. The user has good
control over the appearance of the generated graphs (domain, range, variable
names, etc.). All the applets have both a graphical and a numerical component.
Simple interfaces allow the user to adjust the parameters and immediately review
the results of these changes. All applets contain an Example hyperlink that
allows the user to load preset examples into the applets. The interfaces are
intuitive, plots appear instantly, and the applets run smoothly. Every module
has a Notes section discussing the specific issues for a given applet.
Explanations are very well written and are carefully presented in a friendly
manner.
Concerns:: Some of the applets could benefit from an error message or a warning message
appearing for situations related to handling discontinuities, wrong derivative
calculations, etc.

Rating:
Strengths:: This collection is an excellent supplement to any calculus or pre-calculus
textbook. It could easily be used in a wide range of science and engineering
classes. The modules are easy to use and have a standard simple syntax, so the
software issues do not get in the way of the mathematics. Students could quickly
and efficiently explore a wide range of situations. These applets could be
used by the student or by the professor for classroom demonstrations. Most of
the applets require the user to input needed derivatives and anti-derivatives as
expressions rather than having the applet do that work. This gives the student
practice their differentiation and integration skills while seeing the effects
graphically. Most of the applets are cross-linked. For example, if a student
has difficulty calculating a derivative one can click on the appropriate link to
reach the Derivative Calculator applet that can be used to check or find the
answer.
Concerns:: None.

Rating:
Strengths:: All the applets in the collection feature a unified appearance and user
interface, serving to reduce confusion. The controls are easy to use and clearly
labeled. Every applet has an excellent How to Use section written in a friendly
manner. Available options give the user good control over the appearance of the
graphical output of the modules. The syntax is standard and familiar to any
user with a graphing calculator. The list of available functions and symbols is
accessible from any applet as a link to the Expression in Mathlets Page.
Concerns:: Separate applets could benefit from navigation buttons taking a user back to the
main page when necessary.