Xmath Plans

The plans are to develop a framework for mathematical and scientific e-learning using XML. Composition: WEB-browser,Tool for generating MathML code Mathematica, Calculating engine Mathematica (WebMathematica with a special server), Commmunication resources: Blackboard and ScientificTalk, Management system: Blackboard. A manual of how to use the different parts of the framework will be developed, language english. The different parts of the framework are developed outside Xmath, ScientificTalk by one of the participants.

We have to get the different parts of the framework to play together by using standards accepted by all the components. The management system will act as a vertical portal for distance education.

Further plans are to develop a pilot course in university mathematics developed by using and to be implemented into the framework. A pedagogical report of the effect of using MathML and animations on the internet and the effect of using a management system and communication resources (partly incorporated in the management system) will be developed.Website http://www.Xmath.org, a free vertical portal for MathMl in education and publishing including the "Xmath café", virtual rooms for chat and news.

The Framework: This framework may be used by all who intend to deliver online education in mathematics. It will be valuable for many to get a "package" like this using the latest technology in netbased education in mathematics (and scientific subjects in general).

The ultimate users may choose some kind of a system for mathematical education on the net (not necessarily the pilot course) and implement it into the framework. Within some time many other courses will be developed using MathML and in this sense fit into the framework. It is however important to notice that also courses not using XML but rather the more traditional HTML will fit into the system too. The framework will in this sense be of a general character.II The Pilot Course: The pilot course is developed mainly for evaluation of the technology in a pedagogical context. It will include basic university subjects from the area mathematical analysis (10 credits). The course may be downloaded from the web site Xmath.org. and both institutions and students may use it. To take advantage of the complete framework it will probably be best to get access to the portal including the "Course café" (kurs.hibu.no, password and user identity required).III The Website: The portal may be used by everyone interested in netbased mathematical education and publishing.

The participating institutions are all giving courses in mathematics, some of them online learning. The management system will be installed at one of the institutions and the participating institutions will have access. As members of the project group they will install the other components of the framework.Then they will be able to distribute the pilot course to their own students including ODL students and create other courses to be installed on this system.

The progress and status of the project will be monitored using a virtual meeting room. Due to long distances we have to meet frequently, once a week. In this room we may talk and view and exchange files recently developed to test the functionality of our work. Once a month a status report have to be created for each of the participants.

Internal evaluation is suspected, except for the final pedagogical evalutaion where students will play an important role (limited knowledge about MathML in educational institutions, due to the pedagogical aspects institutions have to be educational).a) Establishing the virtual room for evaluation and discussion. Evaluated by "the first meeting".

The project will start with an enhancement of the MathML knowledge and the use of WebMathematica for each of the partners. A netbased course will be distributed and we may use the virtual meeting room for discussions and testing of files developed.

The next will be to design the framework. We have to finaly agree about the components of the framework and every partner has to install the complete framework, the portal (management system) only at the coordinating institution. The evaluation will be done by using the virtual meeting room and by putting test files on the portal website (kurs.hibu.no, course café).

The pilot course will now be developed. Every week we will evaluate documents recently developed and discuss changes and test the functionality in the framework browser. Every month there will be an integration test where different documents are being tested together as a whole.

The pedagogical evaluation. The documents are now being implemented as a complete course and students at distance at the participating institutions will take the course. The project partners will take responsibility for different aspects of the evaluation. Institution 3 and 4: the pedagogical effect of using interactive and event-driven elements (designed by using MathML and shockwave). Institution 1 and 2: evaluate communication over distance. This will be assembled in a pedagogical report.

The "catchment area" of MathML and WebMathematica will probably be all over Europe. The dessimination potential will then be considerable. The use of MathML in netbased education is in its very birth and few people have experience. It is expected that over some time all mathematics on the web will be described by using MathML. The participating institutions will implement the pilot course to be taken by their own students and the participating persons will be MathML "evangelists".The project group will probably be in the front line in connection with using MathML in netbased mathematical courses and should take responsibilty to arrange seminars and to present papers at other seminars and conferences.