Developing interactive mathematical visualisations

Abstract

In early 2014, researchers at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) developed a suite of interactive mathematical visualisations (IMVs) aimed at improving students’ understanding of key concepts in first-level mathematics. This paper outlines the pedagogical and interaction design considerations that informed this development, as well as the processes adopted in preparing the IMVs for classroom use. Guidelines for interaction design that draw on research in human computer interaction, information visualisation and cognitive technologies are reviewed and contextualised for the specific learning needs of mathematics students at UWS. Examples are given of how these guidelines were factored-in to the IMV development. In addition to the pedagogical and technological dimensions of this work, research-based methods for analysing and evaluating the educational effectiveness of the IMVs are examined. It is expected that these methods will underpin a formative evaluation approach to ongoing design and development of the IMVs.