This miniproject aimed to develop, test and publish a bank of configurable java applets, with appropriate documentation including worksheets.
The Applet ShOp is a suite of Java applets, accessible from the web, designed to introduce and consolidate mathematical concepts. They are intended to be used for demonstrations in lectures and to be available to students thereafter. Aspects of notation are configurable by editing the associated html file. Some applets include a selection of basic examples and these too are configurable from the html file. The documentation accompanying each applet is at various stages of development.
For each applet, the intention is to provide for free download the following:
1. all class files;
2. the html file that calls the applet;
3. a PDF file detailing help and instructions including those for configuring the html files; and,
4. worksheets outlining suggested activities. Help is also available through a menu within each applet and details for configuration are given within the html files.
With the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA) in mind, the applets were made as accessible as possible. This has involved using the so-called ‘Swing’ components of Java, which automatically ensure some accessibility. Accessibility is reinforced by other practices, such as including alternative key strokes for mouse actions. The applets have a consistent look and feel and main colours and font sizes can be changed either from within the html file or during use. Some of the applets do use colour to help illustrate concepts. However, the project holders have attempted to use strongly contrasting colours for these. A consequence of the decision to use Swing components is that users will need to download the (free) Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and may need to ensure browser settings allow the applets to run. Although this was a problem during development when initial student users did not all have easy access to JRE, it is hoped that it should not now restrict the number of campuses where the applets may be conveniently used.
The idea of these applets is to help students grasp various concepts. They are tools for teaching and learning - rather than tools for doing mathematics in the sense of Maple or Mathematica - although some, for example, those on permutations and factor groups, can be used for calculation and other forms of exploratory work. The project holders resisted the temptation to overload the applets with features. The applets have been used as a visual aid in lectures at both Sheffield University and at Open University summer school. Although no formal evaluation has been conducted there has been positive feedback from students.