0000000001046467
AUTHOR
Harald H. Gautestad
Using the visualization tool SimReal to orchestrate mathematical teaching for engineering students
Visualization tools provide a potentially powerful support for the learning of abstract mathematical topics in engineering courses. SimReal is a visualization tool for teaching mathematics for a wide range of engineering topics. It provides video lessons, interactive simulations and animations to enhance comprehension and engagement in abstract mathematics subjects. The aim of this paper is to explore the role of SimReal to orchestrate mathematical teaching for engineering students. It uses the framework of instrumental orchestration to configure and exploit various artefacts with the intention of performing a didactical purpose.
Evaluating the Usefulness of the Visualization Tool SimReal+ for Learning Mathematics: A Case Study at the Undergraduate Level
Research on visualization tools is a topic of current concern. SimReal+ is a new visualization tool that is used to teach a wide range of mathematical topics spanning from school to higher education. However, SimReal+ has not been fully evaluated with respect to its potentialities and constraints in educational settings. While technical issues are self-evident requirements, pedagogical and mathematical aspects are much less frequently explored. The aim of this chapter is to assess the usefulness of SimReal+ in an undergraduate mathematics course for engineering students. It uses a set of criteria that cover technical, pedagogical, and mathematical issues.