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Presenting Math & Science on the Web

Problems using courseware (Blackboard)

Multiple image/equation upload.
Some math pages may require dozens of uploads into Bb5.
Cut & paste HTML doesn't work consistently. Needs diagnosis.
Word 2000 produces large files with HTML & XML which often do not display properly when pasted into Bb5.
No integrated support or tool available for direct (non-trivial) math input into Bb. The environment does not allow students to compose mathematical expressions.

Methodology

Using external website support (seems to be the most practical method available so far).
Math notebooks (pages) can be composed using a CAS application and then displayed within MathML-capable or special browsers.

Tips and Tricks

Create an image directory. To insert an image from directory into Bb using IE5:

Right-Click on the desired image. For example, try the ammonia image above.
Choose Properties
Copy the absolute URL
Note the dimensions (recommended for quicker browser rendering.)
Paste the URL into tag <IMG SRC="X" width="71" height="76"> where x is the URL.

A image directory is useful for web development of math and science sites, online quizzes, etc.

Alternatives, Solutions, Possibilities

Publisher software. Prentice Hall, etc. David Woolpert's comparison.

Plug-ins.

Mathematica distributes a FREE math viewer/plug-in. Notebooks created in Mathematica will display in the browser. Students can download and install the viewer from http://www.wolfram.com/products/mathreader/
iMath. http://www.iMath.net/
A freeware implementation of EzMath editor, plugin and documentation is available for Windows 95/NT.
IBM's techexplorer 3.0 plugin has full support for MathML 1.01

Browsers

Amaya W3C's Editor/Browser. Amaya is a browser/authoring tool. It is used to demonstrate and test many of the new developments in Web protocols and data formats. Given the very fast moving nature of Web technology, Amaya has a central role to play. It is versatile and extensible and is available on both Unix and Windows '95/NT platforms.
Mozilla 1.0 (mid 2001) purportedly will support MathML.
Scientific Viewer http://www.mackichan.com/products/sciviewer.html

Web tools. Dennis said that Bb is working on developing something.

Math Applications. Maple, Mathematica, Geometers' Sketchpad.
Web Authoring Applications. Netscape Composer, FrontPage, etc.
Learning Objects. Need more info on this.
Bb course cartridges?
Scientific Notebook

The Future?

MathML (XML for math) Promises to be the solution for math on the web. (But of course it's taking far longer to develop than anyone could have guessed.) Imagine cutting and pasting equations from the web and then performing computations on them with your favorite math application. This is certainly not possible working with an image of an equation! See www.MathML.com and www.Wolfram.com/. More info:

Free MathReader & Plug-in displays Mathematica notebook files in or out of the browser.
Configuring a Windows Browser to Automatically Launch MathReader 4 wolfram.com/products/mathreader/winbrowser.html
MathML generated by Mathematica wolfram.com/solutions/publishing/features6.html
W3C's Math Home Page

CML Chemical Markup Language

Pedagogy

Using color to elucidate formula use (Bill Philips); emphasize, highlight important info.
Using motion --Animated GIFs: Example.
Discovery approach. (Ray Garcia).
Drop-down menu use. Reveal solutions, instant feedback, increase interaction. Form entries don't always need to be sent or processed! [A discovery for me.]
Java applets. Example.
Java scripts to process form input. Formative quizzes or puzzles. Example.
Feedback forms. Brainstorming solutions. "See what others have said..."
Group problem solving using forums.