Ms. Lindquist: The Tutor

Ms. Lindquist is an automated online tutoring system for algebra word problems. Developed in Java, the interface is very friendly and leads users through a series of questions that requires critical thinking and mathematical reasoning. Upon an incorrect response, the system breaks the problem down so it is easier to manage. This allows users to come to the right answer by themselves, with only a little guidance from Ms. Lindquist. The system keeps track of a user's progress through the ten sections, which gradually increase in difficulty. Teachers can also find example problems and other resources that incorporate the Ms. Lindquist utility. [CL]
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Edutopia Online: Envision the Future of Public Education [QuickTime, .pdf]

Edutopia Online is the Web site of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. The foundation "disseminates models of the most innovative practices in our nation's K-12 schools." A video gallery illustrates stories from schools around the country. While the material given on Edutopia Online has a broad scope, much of it is technology oriented. For example, past features have highlighted Web site development, hand held computers, and other methods of technology integration that improve the educational experience. The site is updated often, and a free Edutopia newsletter is also available. [CL]
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The Scientist and Engineer's Guide to Digital Signal Processing [.pdf, .zip]

Dr. Steve Smith offers his book about digital signal processing (DSP) free, in its entirety, on this site. The DSP guide introduces the reader to the fundamentals, and then delves into digital filters, applications, and complex techniques. All 33 chapters can be downloaded individually or as a whole. The book is quite well written, with plenty of figures, graphs, and illustrations that accompany the text. Smith derives equations for topics such as Fourier and Laplace transforms, and he clearly defines the terms and how to use them. This book is excellent for college students in a DSP or signals communications course. [CL]
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Mathematics Nrichment [Flash]

Jointly operated by three UK educational institutions, NRICH is a monthly online magazine with resources for students and teachers of mathematics. All material on the site can be searched with a topic tree that lists every area of math covered in the magazine. The Flash plug-in games are challenging and very fun, suitable for just about anyone. Problems are added each month and are divided into varying levels of age and difficulty. Children can send in their solutions to be posted on the NRICH Web site. An archive of all the magazine's contents from months past is also provided. [CL]
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Be an Architect!

Intended for sixth grade and up, this site lets children "learn about site, form, function, and materials" as they create their own floor plan and choose other properties for their house. Children are first led through a series of questions that prompt them to consider various factors important in building a house. Then, they use some Java applets to customize their house for the location they picked. The applet used to create the floor plan is especially well made, and allows the user to have as many rooms as needed. This is quite an in-depth activity that effectively teaches many concepts in architecture. [CL]
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BTexact Technologies: Web Site Design

Creating a good, readable Web site is becoming an increasingly important skill. BTexact Technologies maintains this site to help people with this. Although it is geared toward commercial Web site design, the material is also suitable for personal use. Some topics addressed include site navigation, page design, graphics and multimedia, and user input. Each section contains clear descriptions of techniques, styles, and other factors that need to be considered to make a successful site. The sections are arranged in a natural progression, but the table of contents makes it easy for users to skip sections with which they feel comfortable. [CL]
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engAPPLETS: Java Applets for Engineering Education

The Java applets presented on this Web site teach concepts that every engineering student will encounter in undergraduate courses. Developed at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a grant from the National Science Foundation, the applets fall into three main categories: statics, dynamics, and fluid dynamics. There are several specific topics in each of these sections, which demonstrate principles such as heat conduction, ideal flow, vector algebra, and projectile motion. The applets are easy to use, and a short introduction explains the controls and the important observations. The only problem with the site is a nonworking link to the projectile motion game. [CL]
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Harvey Mudd College Mathematics Online Tutorial [.pdf]

Created as an addition to undergraduate mathematics courses at Harvey Mudd College, this impressive collection of tutorials is useful for anyone needing a study aid or refresher for various topics. The list includes over 40 tutorials that address methods and theorems in precalculus, single and multi variable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. Quizzes at the end of each tutorial are only accessible to registered students, but the rest of the material is open to anyone. For offline viewing, the lessons can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. [CL]
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