Javascript 'Jollies' Can Bring Simulations to Life
John Billingsley · 2001
The teaching of differential equations is regarded as an advanced topic, deferred until late in a course of study. The subject can have a closer link with reality if the mathematical relationships which describe a dynamic process can be illustrated by a real-time simulation. With the aid of moving images which can be clearly seen to obey the equations in question, there is hope that the student will truly understand their function rather than regarding their manipulation as mere ritual. A technique, is presented for displaying dynamic graphics on a web page. These might represent a simulation or be simple animated teaching material. Students can interact with and change the simulation code, which is displayed on the same web page. Two versions are introduced; one moves prepared images while the other uses a Java-based 'whiteboard' on which any graphic can be drawn.