Simple Machine Systems: Lever, Pulleys, and Incline Plane By Natthapol Pongthaipat Artprecha Rugsachart Thanakorn Sithanukul Debdhanit Yupho

Project Goal To develop a Web-based interactive system that demonstrate the work of simple machine systems and can be used by teachers to enhance the understanding of the 6 and 7 graders students.

Our Client Our client is Dr. Kalyani Raghavan A Project Director of the Model Assisted Reasoning in Science (MARS) Dr.Raghavan’s research interests are in design and development of innovative middle-school curriculum materials to promote qualitative understanding of central ideas in science and mathematics.

Users Primary Users The primary users of this educational applet are 6 Grade and 7 Grade’s teachers. The applet will be use to demonstrate virtually how forces have affect on objects for each machine system.

Users Secondary Users The secondary users are the 6 and 7 graders. The students will simply learn how each component has effect on particular machine system by adjust the value and the picture on the right side will change accordingly.

Heuristic Analysis Simple and natural dialog Speak the user’s language Minimize user memory load Be consistent Provide feedback

Application Requirement A clearly demonstrate of how each machine system work Provide efficient and easy tools for teacher to demonstrate the mechanic systems, which is normally hard to demonstrate to students. Provide good and accurate animation result in order to catch the attentions form students. Show graphical demonstration of the result in each system

Application Requirement Provide some guidelines (help) in the graphical interface about how to adjust parameters. Provide some guidelines (help) in the graphical interface about how each system work for students The system should be easy and interesting for students in order to attract them to play around and study.

Interface Design

Phase 1 Implemented the main components of our program in order to confirm that all the important components are implemented and the system is ready to work and be modified.

Phase 2 the help frame is prepared and provided The purposed of the help window is to provide the help for the user in how to use the applet as well as give the basic idea how each mechanical system works. Add minor features Reported bugs have been fixed in this draft.

Phase 3 Decrease the scale to allow easier way for students to calculate. Provide more space between widgets for more clearly interpret the interface Regroup the input area Add basic explanation for each systems Add explanation for action for each systems

Limitation Due to the nature of Applet, the animation motions are not as good as other media

Future Enhancements Might Add more systems if request by the client. Include more easy mathematic and physic explanation Expand to be a tutorial site

Thank you!!!