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Interactive Calculus in a Virtual Learning Environment César Córcoles, Antoni Gomà, M. Antonia Huertas Department of Computer Science Open University of Catalonia (UOC) e+Calculus JEM-TN Workshop I Lisboa 9-10 February 2007. Introduction. Fast development ICT +
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Interactive Calculus in a Virtual Learning EnvironmentCésar Córcoles, Antoni Gomà, M. Antonia HuertasDepartment of Computer Science Open University of Catalonia (UOC)e+Calculus JEM-TN Workshop ILisboa 9-10 February 2007
Introduction Fast development ICT + Changes in learner’s behaviour Educational institutions have to evaluate technological & pedagogical approaches to (F2F and VLE) learning + teaching
Technical context (web 2.0) • Web as a platform / applications on the web • Collaborative & interactive applications • User centred model Pedagogical context (connectivism) • Learning is a constant building of a network • Capacity to learn more imp. than contents • Knowledge rests within the network Learning 2.0 paradigm • Learner-centred design • Teachers and learners as peers in a network • From traditional learning applications to an open learning environment
The Open University Of Catalonia (UOC) • Distance learning – Web based learning (12 years) • Completely VLE • 30.000+ students • Typical student: • >25 y/o • Fully employed • Long forgotten math
Experiences at the UOC.Technological & pedagogical improvements • Our advantage (VLE):We already “live” inside a computer lab, even if it’s a widely distributed one, so integration of ICT in the classroom is not the problem • Some experiences at the course of Calculus for Computer Science Students at the UOC
Experiences at the UOC.Technological & pedagogical improvements • Semantical mark-up mathematical repository on the web (MathML, OpenMath, Ontologies, Learning standards) • UOC: Web based learning materials with MathML and Wiris • Interactive math materials and mathematical learning processes • UOC: interactive Calculus with Wiris
Interaction and mathematical processes • Problem-solving • Mathematical modelling • Reasoning • Communicating • Making connections (applying maths) • Using tools
Experiences at the UOC.Really web based materials • Browser support finally allows us to offer web based materials in XHTML + MathML format LaTeX based authoring + TeX4ht + • …allow us to embed Wiris applets in order to have a symbolic calculator in the material • We can teach mathematical processes, and forget about [some] algorithms and memorization
Experiences at the UOC. Interactive math materials • Case 1: Functions of complex variable • Case 2: Precalculus
Conclusions & Much More Future Work Satisfactory experience but it is necessary improvement • New curriculum & methodology in the content/process debate in teaching mathematics • Interface usability of new tools • Temporal costs of interaction • Students motivation for learning to learn vs. to learning contents • New assessments and certification systems