An Interactive Graphing Tool for Web-based Courses

This paper reports on a project involving the development and formative evaluation of an interactive World Wide Web-based learning tool. The interactive graphing tool (IGT) permits students to sketch a graph on screen using a mouse and responds to a wide range of common graph types. The IGT facilitates an iterative approach to understanding graphical representations of knowledge by actively involving students in the construction of these representations and multiple modes of feedback. The examples provided in this paper relate to reaction kinetics and chemical equilibrium in undergraduate chemistry. However, the graphing tool is applicable to many other academic disciplines with similar needs to foster the development of student understanding of graphical representation of knowledge. Topics discussed include: the design of the IGT, including the IGT and student learning and the IGT structure; formative evaluation of the IGT, including goals of formative evaluation, methodology, the modules, student formative evaluation results, formative evaluations from academic staff, and problems and solutions; and future directions. Two figures illustrate the default curves for the IGT and the screen capture of the prototype IGT. (Author/DLS) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY