Hands-On Math

Reference Information:
Hands-On Math: A page-based multi-touch and pen desktop for technical work and problem solving by Robert Zeleznik, Andrew Bragdon, Ferdi Adeputra, Hsu-Sheng Ko

Authors:
All of the authors are associated with Brown university.

Summary:
Hypothesis:
Can we use Computer Algebra Tools to help users learn and interact more efficiently.

Methods:
Undergraduates from Brown were recruited. They then used the interface, which is designed on a Microsoft Surface, to attempt to perform some calculations like derivatives and graphing as well as using various techniques for manipulating individual pages. They also tested gestures. Under-the-rock menus are those which only appear when necessary as well as various types of gestures with the pen, such as that which is needed to delete a page, were all things that users tried.

Results:
Overall the feedback was good. They indicated that they would be interested in using technology like this, but only if it were to come in a portable form such as a tablet. Many students would attempt to create their own way of preforming certain tasks before being showing a new, more effective way. They would then be able to easily pick up completing the task that way. One of the biggest advantages was the ability to manipulate math problems. Many students enjoyed the idea of a step-by-step learning process when doing their calculations.

Contents:
Hands-On Math attempts to try to combine the conveniences of paper and pen with some of the technologies available to us through CAS. This would allow a user to get answers more quickly than they would otherwise, but also is easy to use and user friendly. The user is able to interact with either whiteboard, which simply has an open area for drawing or manipulating text and equations. Or a paged system. This allows the user to be more effective with space management and organization. The pen tool is combined with various gestures in an attempt to create user friendly and intuitive motions and controls.


Discussion:
This is a really great piece of technology. One of the biggest barriers in the past of attempting to do things such as write or solve equations on a virtual surface has been a feeling of awkwardness. They delay from input or the lack of space. All of these are factors in contributing to the continued use of pen and paper over electronic notetaking platforms. This project could help to eliminate these flaws and provide a new system for taking notes and doing mathematical calculations. Many different levels of users could benefit from this system. Older students would be able to take advantage of more advanced features such as plotting graphs and making tables, while younger students would be able to more easily interact with things they are learning about vis pictures or videos.