Abstract

Current e-learning environments are ill-suited to college mathematics. Instructors/students struggle to post diagrams and math notation. A new generation of math-friendly e-learning tools, including WebEQ, bundled with Blackboard 6, and NetTutor's Whiteboard, address these problems. This paper compares these two systems using criteria for ideal math-friendly e-learning systems. NetTutor's Whiteboard is, apparently, the only system allowing two-way communication of both diagrams and math notation between instructor and students. This paper also summarizes a case study of two community college mathematics courses (calculus and algebra) using NetTutor over two semesters. Pilot studies, interviews and experimental problems revealed that NetTutor's Whiteboard is effective for 2-way communication of diagrams and math notation in college courses. Learning difficult concepts was comparable to face-to-face courses.

Citation

Smith, G.G. & Ferguson, D. (2004). Diagrams and Math Notation in E-Learning: Growing Pains of a New Generation. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 35(5), 681-695. Retrieved March 9, 2021 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/98511/.

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Keywords

• algebra
• Calculus
• college mathematics
• Computer Software
• Computer Uses in Education
• educational technology
• Mathematics
• Mathematics Instruction
• teaching methods
• Web Based Instruction