Interactive Web-based Calculus Tutorials
Abstract
Programs exist, such as Maple, which enable developers to create tutorial applications that use a computer algebra system for complex calculus computations involved in generating problems, checking student responses and generating interactive 2D and 3D plots which are static or animated. However, only some of these applications can be embedded in a webpage. In response, this project has developed browser-based tutorials for the MYMathApps Calculus [1] text which generate random calculus problems for students to solve, check their responses (including all intermediate steps) and give helpful feedback. Many tutorials include professional quality 2D and 3D graphics (static and animated) that are interactive in that students can plot their own functions, rotate or drag objects with a mouse, change colors (for accessibility) and add or remove objects from the plot. Generating problems and checking answers is done using the Sage [2] computer algebra system. The graphics are made with three.js [3], a powerful WebGL-based JavaScript library. Math is displayed in LaTeX using MathJax [4]. User answers are parsed by MathLex [5] so they can be displayed in Latex and sent to the Sage server. The web page is written in HTML5, CSS and JavaScript using Node.js [6] and React [7].
Citation
Weihing, Matthew (2019). Interactive Web-based Calculus Tutorials. Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /175447.