Diagrams and math notation in e-learning: growing pains of a new generation

Abstract

Current e-learning environments are ill-suited to college mathematics. Instructors/students struggle to post diagrams and math notation. A new generation of math-friendly e-learning tools, including WebEQ, bundled with Blackboard 6, and NetTutor's Whiteboard, address these problems. This paper compares these two systems using criteria for ideal math-friendly e-learning systems. NetTutor's Whiteboard is, apparently, the only system allowing two-way communication of both diagrams and math notation between instructor and students. This paper also summarizes a case study of two community college mathematics courses (calculus and algebra) using NetTutor over two semesters. Pilot studies, interviews and experimental problems revealed that NetTutor's Whiteboard is effective for 2-way communication of diagrams and math notation in college courses. Learning difficult concepts was comparable to face-to-face courses.