SimCalc World
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
http://www.simcalc.umassd.edu/
A world component animates the
motion of characters against a background image.
Each character's motion can be controlled by a
function or data set coming from another component.
The overall animation is controlled by a clock
component. Authors may set the background image
and the images for each character.
Sample problems: Earthquake, Marabyn
Example EPoWs:
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Earthquake
I-IV
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The Problem: Students determine
the location of the epicenter of an earthquake
using seismographic data. simulations and
dynamic graphs involving rate, time and
distance; speed of P and S waves in a seismograph;
Where's the Math: Students explore
rate, time and distance relationships, generating
hypothesis from graphs and simulations.
NCTM Standards: Algebra, measurement
Components: Simple world, swing
slider, simple graph, simple function, simple
clock, time label, text editor
Earthquake 1
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Click on the links above to learn more about
the problem series, the math involved, sample
solutions, and developers' assessment
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Marabyn
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The Problem: Students use the simulation to change the
distance Marabyn rides the bus and the distance
she walks to fit constraints about those distances.
Where's the Math: This problem
deals primarily with the distance formula,
d = rt. For one question, students also
formulate their own equation to represent
additional constraints. Using the slope
of lines on the graph, students can also
calculate Marabyn’s walking and riding
speeds. With this data, an inequality can
be formulated which represents the minimum
and maximum walking distances.
NCTM Standards: Algebra, measurement
Components: SimCalc Graph, FunctionEntry, SimCalc World, ESCOTClock, JButtons, JSlider, JComboBoxes, Swing JTable
Learn
more about the problem, the math
involved, sample solutions, and developers'
assessment
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For additional information about this or other
components, contact Mark
Chung, ESCOT Component Coordinator
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