RE: [seul-edu] ISO evals

["Schmitt, Mark" <MSchmitt@dcds.edu>]

I've been working on my Phase 1 evaluations of Math Apps.  But before I get
to my incomplete look at the apps, I tried
to come up with some sub-categories.  I've listed these below.  One thing
that I've noticed is that the software has a
very wide range of age-appropriateness.  While elementary teachers could
find things like KTimes useful, high school
teachers probably would not.  Perhaps we should consider making the ISO
grade-level specific, perhaps a K-6 ISO, a 6-9
ISO, and a 9-12 ISO.  While there would certainly be some overlap of
applications, this might make it feel more useful
to individual schools.  I know it spreads us into multiple directions, but
it is just a thought that I'm sharing.  No
one has to agree with it.

Now for the sub-categories I came up with.  Many applications could fit in
two of these categories, and I've listed
them in both.  I've not categorized all the applications, but I have tried
to get a good start...

Geometry Apps:  (appropriate for 6-12 depending on the school)
    KDE Interactive Geometry
    KGeo
    KSeg
    Dr. Geo
    Cabri

Graphing/Numerical Aides (again probably 6-12)
    Euler
    Koctave
    Leibnitz
    Maxima
    gnuplot
    kmathplot
    kmplot
    SciLab???
    Singular???
    Superficie
    WIMS
    YACAS

Arithmetic Aides (appropriate for k-6)
    addpsx
    KTimes
    multpsx
    subpsx

Programming Languages (appropriate for 9-12, I think, but maybe earlier as
well)
    ISETL
    Pari-GP
    R
    RLab
    SciLab???
    Singular
    WIMS
    YACAS


Now here are my evaluations with some quick notes.  I seem to be very happy
to eliminate things that did not look
current to me.  That is not intended as a negative view of the effort.  I
just believe we should use actively
developing applications.  Nothing in the alpha stage either.  I haven't made
it to the end of the list, but this is a
start.  I'll try to continue in the next week or two (I have a small break
coming up, that should free up more time,
short-term.)

addpsx - p2 - Useful idea for elementary schools.  Take a look.  As I
    recall, someone on the SEUL list wrote a version for subtraction
    as well.

beysis - ? -Based on SEUL write-up its worth another look.  The site
    given appears to be in a (scandinavian?) language that I don't
    recognize.  Someone else will need to look.

Euler - P2 - Appears to be a graphing and computational aid ala Mathematica
    Definitely could have uses in high school.  Should be compared with
    other software of this type (Maxima, etc)

Geometry - N - Could be ok.  Looks like it may be static since June 2001,
though

Geomview - P2 - Definitely worth looking at.  Has RPMs and debs already
made.
    Rotating shapes could be very useful in 3D geometry.  P2

GPLconx - N - Looks interesting, but appears static (4/2001).  The purpose
of
    the software, to visualize conics, could be achieved using Maxima or the
    like.

Guppi - N - Site says its still in the early phases and is missing features.
    Other plotting packages exist in stable form.  Those would probably be
    more appropriate.

Iguana - N - Alpha stage, most recent update is 10/02, so it appears
moderately
    active, but an alpha is not ready to go on the ISO IMO.  Debugging not
yet
    done.  Perhaps there are members who would like to help?

Kalamaris - N - Not stable according to the website, and static since
6/2000.

Kalcul - N - Static since 2001, runs only on KDE1 and Qt1.4

kbruch - P2 - Practice problems for manipulating fractions.  Useful task,
screen
    shots look good.  Worth looking into.

KDE Interactive Geometry - P2 - Looks very nice.  Has documentation.  Worth
trying
    out and playing with.  Appears to be like Geometer's Sketchpad.  Updated
12/2002

Kig - P2 - This is KDE interactive Geometry.

KMathtool - N - It looks interesting, but it seems to be very eclectic and
static at
    this point.

KTimes - P2 - Looks useful, though I suspect this is a static site.

Learning Logic - ? - In use at many schools according to website.  License
is unclear.  More information needed.

Liebnitz - P2 - Graphing calculator tool.  RPM exists.  Worth looking at
(along with
    other graphing tools)

Math and Education - N - pre-Alpha.  Inappropriate for ISO release

Math Literature - N - Static since 1999.

MathAid - N - Commercial Software.

MathMagic - N - pre-Alpha

MathMol - N - Website, could not reach the server.  Not for ISO

Math Planner - P2 - Appears to be an OS version of equation editor.  Could
be useful.
    Still active as of 12/2002


Mark Schmitt
Detroit Country Day School