(e-) Mind Thinking with e-Um
Damjan Kobal, Blaž Zmazek
Modern technology has opened up many new
possibilities in learning. Unfortunately, technology's
uncritical use can also be damaging. In promoting
productive and comprehensive IT learning the essential
issue lies within the capability of the teacher and IT
material to use computer to promote the basic cognitive
aspects of learning and not only to manipulate the learner
to remain motivated. Motivation is productive only if
used with a focus towards knowledge and understanding.
Especially in mathematics the concepts, we try to teach,
are simple and logical, but often abstract. Smart use of
computers can motivate this abstract concepts through
intuitive simulations and animations as well as provide a
sophisticated but simple insight into the causality of
mathematical thinking. Thus, we argue that preparation of
good e-Learning materials requires an almost
contemplative focus on what we want to communicate in
order not to overwhelm the student with too many effects
that the technology offers.
The concept and the vision of E-um project has been
based on the above premises with a comprehensive
system of simple technical, mathematical and didactical
guidelines, together with a dynamic and creative system
of permanent self evaluation and control.
To support those premises new software package based
on the Exe open source system has been developed. In
order to provide an adequate technical framework for our
conceptual ideas new emerging technologies with an
emphasis on writing mathematical texts had been used. Full Text
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