MecLib – STACK and JSXGraph for e-Learning in Engineering Mechanics
Martin Kraska
Technische Hochschule Brandenburg, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
Abstract
Intended auditory: E-learning content developers (STACK/Moodle), STEM teachers, lecturers
STACK is a Moodle question type which comes with built-in support of JSXGraph, a JavaScript library for interactive and dynamic graphics. It is possible to evaluate properties of interactively modified graphics from within STACK and to provide automatic feedback. Authors of STACK questions usually handle HTML, LaTeX and Maxima (the CAS engine used in STACK).
MecLib has been developed as a Maxima interface to a pre-defined set of high-level JSXGraph objects. This reduces the complexity of content development, because no knowledge of JSXGraph or Javascript is required.
The presentation gives an update on the current state of development and application.
On the development side, the code has been adapted to the recently released STACK version 4.4. Also, adjustments to newer versions of JSXGraph had to be made. The Meclib github wiki site has become a handy reference for content authoring.
Two applications will be presented:
- an editor for free body diagrams with detailed formative feedback. This demonstrates the combined power of interactive meclib widgets and adaptive feedback functions.
- an interactive widget for finding the center of rotation in rigid body kinematics. This demonstrates the inclusion of multiple Meclib images in a single question and the functional enhancement of Meclib images by local Javascript code.
Editor for free body diagrams:
Center of rotation problem:
