Interactive Presentation of Mathematics

Views:
 
Category: Education
     
 

Presentation Description

No description available.

Comments

Presentation Transcript

Interactive Presentations of Mathematics : 

Interactive Presentations of Mathematics Jeremy Gow & Paul Cairns Computer Science Middlesex University, London

Overview : 

Overview Why interactive proofs? Polya-Lamport framework The IMP system Interactive topology course Theory presentation Future plans

Mathematical Proof : 

Mathematical Proof Central to mathematics Mixture of prose and notation Deductive presentation Detail - incomplete, but convincing Context - extra-logical content

Problems with Proof : 

Problems with Proof How much detail? Convincing Unintelligible and boring How much context? Helpful Justification Unnecessary and distracting You can’t please everyone

Using Hypermedia : 

Using Hypermedia HTML, Java, XML, ... Reader controls proof presentation Aims Dynamic presentation of detail/context Easy to read/navigate Easy to write

Polya’s Four Stages : 

Polya’s Four Stages Understand - terms, unknowns, diagrams Plan - abstract solution Execute - detailed solution Reflect - uses, alternatives, related theory Proof presentation format Argument vs. pre/post context

Lamport’s Structured Proof : 

Lamport’s Structured Proof How To Write A Proof Labeled hierarchy Explicit argument structure Reader chooses own depth Manages complex detail Exposes errors Ideal for hypertext

Polya-Lamport Framework : 

Polya-Lamport Framework Interactive proof format (with hyperlinks) Statement of theorem Understand - unknowns, terms, diagrams Plan/Execute - structured proof Reflect - uses, alternatives, related theory Demo

The IMP System : 

The IMP System Authoring toolkit XML proof grammar In: Text proof file Explicit structure (XML) Maths notation (Latex) Out: Expandable proof (Java applet) Need unified tool

Interactive Topology Course : 

Interactive Topology Course Elements of Euclidean & Metric Topology - Peter Collins Polya-Lamport framework Chapters, definitions, theorems Hand-coded HTML + IMP applet Demo (www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/imp/topology)

User Evaluation : 

User Evaluation Seven topology students Tasks with course notes Questionnaires: background, SUS Interview Results SUS average 78%, range 63-88% Design feedback

Theory Presentation : 

Theory Presentation Chapters/definitions/theorems frames Shallow structure Is there a deep structure? Dialectic maths - Lakatos Hard to write/present Is it worth it?

Future Plans : 

Future Plans Evaluation feedback GUI for XML proofs Summarise sub-proofs Develop theory presentation Large evaluation Automate sub-proof expansion?

Summary : 

Summary Dynamic proof detail/context Polya-Lamport framework IMP: XML to expandable proof Evaluated interactive course notes How to present theories? www.cs.mdx.ac.uk/imp