June
Lester
Who I am.
I’m a mathematician currently involved in research into online teaching,
especially for mathematics. My particular interest is in discovering effective
techniques for integrating mathematical meaning into onscreen mathematical communication
and interaction (for details, see this
post to the WebMath list). More generally, I'm interested in all forms of
web-based communication, particularly in visualization and other new or non-verbal
forms of communication. I am also an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics at SFU.
Some projects and prototypes.
- Interactive calculus.
A prototype based in part on the educational
research of John Sweller, University of New South Wales. The relevant
part of the theory: since human aural working memory appears to be largely
separate from visual working memory, using both to convey content decreases
the learner's overall cognitive load and thus improves learning. The demo,
a multimedia-enhanced PDF file, uses several tactics to decrease cognitive
load, most notably short learner-controlled voiceovers with explanation, instructions,
heuristics, motivation, etc. each targeted to an adjoining diagram or calculation.
(Warning: large file. Best to download it first.)
- BinderBabies. A BinderBaby
is a freely distributed prototype web notebook interface for online educational
materials. My intent was to make an easy-to-use presentation framework for
non-specialists with limited resources (authors need only a basic HTML editor).
BinderBabies are part of a more extensive project: the BinderMinder, a mechanism
for locating and organizing notebooks and other materials into electronic
Binders.
- Poincaré.
This is an early (1997) web-based interactive module for Poincaré geometry.
Geometer's Sketchpad provides the interactivity: click a GIF and a 'live'
Sketchpad version of it opens automatically ready to be manipulated with specially
designed Poincaré tools. The intent was to encourage students to develop
an intuitive, visual and kinesthetic understanding of Poincaré geometry
through interacting and experimenting with live sketches.
- (in the works) Working the angles. A Flash-powered interactive tutor
for finding the trig. functions of basic angles. Inspired by my frustration
with students who can’t.
- (in the works) A QuickTime version of the calculus demo above, with video,
animation, ...
And a paper.
- Designing
Interactive Mathematics, a paper presented at ATCM 2000. “There is
a need for a ‘grammar of interactivity’ as a tool for onscreen communication
in much the same sense that the grammar of a language is a necessary tool
for verbal communication. ... effective mathematical communication also requires
a careful examination of the intrinsic mathematical nature of onscreen objects
and how users interact with them”. Contains some preliminary principles
for interactivity design.
Where to find more about me.
My online c.v. contains
complete hyperlinked information about all my electronic activities and my work
as a mathematician.
How to contact me.
- email (preferred contact method): june@sfu.ca
.
- phone (daytime, leave a message): 604 291-3331
Last updated: February 14, 2002