Using Insightmaker to Make Theory Concrete
0Day 3 | 1:30 PM–2:00 PM
"Using Insightmaker to Make Theory Concrete"
Presented by:
Erich McAlister, Fort Lewis College, Durango CO USA
https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/simiode/expo/2025
Abstract: In the early stages of an introductory ODE course the solution techniques seem concrete to students; they are familiar with the functions being encountered and the techniques of Calculus and algebra that are being applied. However, as one proceeds though the course, analytic methods may become impossible, which can leave students without something familiar relating to the new theory. Numerical simulation is helpful, but often comes at a high cost in terms of expected computer literacy. In this talk we will present a scenario using the Laplace transform to qualitatively analyze a delay differential equation occurring in a traffic flow problem. Then we will display the results using Insightmaker. Using Insightmaker, we can show the salient points of a difficult theoretical analysis without any significant programming experience.