SimCalc MathWorlds for the mathematics of change

SimCalc's mission is to enable all children to learn the mathematics of change, beginning in the early grades. This mathematics is conventionally sequestered in elite calculus courses after many prerequisites denying many students access to the critically important ideas of rate, accumulation,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communications of the ACM 1996-08, Vol.39 (8), p.97-99
Main Authors: Roschelle, Jeremy, Kaput, James J
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
21st century
Advantages
Approximation
CAI
Calculus
Computer assisted instruction
Computer based modeling
Computer programming
Curricula
Educational software
Graphs
Innovations
Learning
Mathematics
Mathematics education
Simulation
Students
Teachers
Teaching
Velocity
Citations: Items that cite this one
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Summary:SimCalc's mission is to enable all children to learn the mathematics of change, beginning in the early grades. This mathematics is conventionally sequestered in elite calculus courses after many prerequisites denying many students access to the critically important ideas of rate, accumulation, approximation, limit, and mean value. The goal is to teach these essential ideas to children as part of a restructured mathematics curriculum for children 5 yeas to 18 years of age. Simulations can enable children to learn difficult concepts at an early age. SimCalc MathWorlds software provides animated worlds in which actors move according to graphs. The graphs can be edited directly with the mouse, and during edits, they exhibit dynamic links that reveal mathematical relationships. Games and challenges engage students in learning central ideas in calculus and set the stage for learning algebra, dynamical systems, and other topics. The promise of educational software is not teaching efficiency, but fundamentally altering the curriculum. Educational technology must enable more students to engage in more sophisticated subject matter at a younger age. SimCalc is one possible solution.
ISSN:0001-0782
1557-7317
DOI:10.1145/232014.232041