Jeff A. Libby and Bart D. Stewart - USMA at West Point
Visual Learning 'Excel'lence: Capitalizing on the Interactive Environment
With modern advances, technology continues to weave itself within our classrooms. Such advances, while certainly able to enhance a student's ability to learn objectives and concepts, come with an associated cost - specifically, the responsibility of learning some non-user friendly computer software. In an effort to reduce the software learning curve, it is possible to create a totally interactive environment that rivals some popular Java Applets in mere minutes using nothing more than Microsoft Office. In this talk, we intend to share the interactive tool building process and its effect in and outside the classroom.
Why an interactive environment? Rather than observing static charts/graphs, students can enter a dynamic environment that promotes opportunity for self-exploration and discovery. The exploration fosters a deeper understanding of material rather than simply resting on the periphery.
In practice, these simple-to-make environments have proven more than worthwhile. With the "point and click" technology, our students are able to investigate a myriad of Discrete Dynamical System behaviors, both linear and nonlinear, through observing the effect of varying parameters in a numerical and graphical fashion simultaneously. Add-ins also exist for analytic solutions as well. Creating this type of environment not only adds new dimension to students' focus, creativity, and willingness to explore, but it also presents an easy, adaptable tool for all of us.
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