This is a collection of 30 Geogebra generated applets that explore limits, derivatives and integrals. They are interactive and include instructions and exercises.
Type of Material:
Tutorial
Recommended Uses:
This site can be used for instructor generated demonstrations or for student explorations.
Technical Requirements:
A Java enabled browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To explore the fundamental concepts of calculus.
Target Student Population:
Students in differential and integral calculus.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Pre Calculus
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site contains over 40 explorations that get to the heart of calculus.
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. It is interactive in a way that sheds geometric light on calculus concepts. The instructions are clear and the exercised get to the point of calculus. The color coded graphs and the simple layout are helpful. The site contains most of the necessary graphical concepts that are discussed in a calculus course.
Concerns:
On some of the applets one must hit the refresh button provided for the graphs to render correctly.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This collection is an excellent supplement to any calculus textbook. It could also be easily used in a wide range of science and engineering classes. The modules are so easy to use, that the software issues do not get in the way of the mathematics. Students could quickly and efficiently explore a wide range of situations.
This collection provides just the right hints and theory so that the student can learn through exploration. The applet on the epsilon delta definition of the derivative takes away the mystery of the definition and the relationships between the function and derivative, and integral demonstrated in these applets will give the student an intuitive geometric understanding of calculus.
Concerns:
None
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site’s use of sliders and movable points and graphs make it intuitive for the student to use. The step by step instructions are clearly written. Any student should be able to work through each of these applets without any help from the instructor. The exercises are at a level where the students should be able to answer correctly after going through the explorations.
Concerns:
One of the reviewers couldn’t run the applets on Mac using Safari browser.
Other Issues and Comments:
x
Creative Commons:
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