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2015-Cano-EtAl-Bringing partial differential equations to life for students

Author(s): María José Cano

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Keywords: Java Simulation FreeFem authoring tools authoring methods physical modelling classroom teaching

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Abstract

Resource Image This work describes how to use an authoring tool, Easy Java Simulations, to build interactive simulations using FreeFem++ (Hecht F 2012 J. Numer. Math. 20 251) as a PDE solver engine.

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Differential Equation Type
Technique
Qualitative Analysis
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Course
Course Level
Lesson Length
Technology
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Description

Cano, María José Eliseo Chacón-Vera, and Francisco Esquembre. 2015.  Bringing partial differential equations to life for students. European Journal of Physics. 26: 1-15.

https://www.um.es/freefem/ff++/uploads/Main/BringingPDEStoLifePaper.pdf . Accessed 29 March 2023.

Abstract: Teaching partial differential equations (PDEs) carries inherent difficulties that an interactive visualization might help overcome in an active learning process. However, the generation of this kind of teaching material implies serious difficulties, mainly in terms of coding efforts. This work describes how to use an authoring tool, Easy Java Simulations, to build interactive simulations using FreeFem++ (Hecht F 2012 J. Numer. Math. 20 251) as a PDE solver engine. It makes possible to build simulations where students can change parameters, the geometry and the equations themselves getting an immediate feedback. But it is also possible for them to edit the simulations to set deeper changes. The process is illustrated with some basic examples. These simulations show PDEs in a pedagogic manner and can be tuned by no experts in the field, teachers or students. Finally, we report a classroom experience and a survey from the third year students in the Degree of Mathematics at the University of Murcia.

Keywords: authoring tools and methods, physical modelling, improving classroom teaching

 

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Author(s): María José Cano

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