Sample Investigation
DESIGNING AN INTERACTIVE MATH PROGRAM USING MACROMEDIA FLASH MX
David Liu and Joseph Phan designed and developed a two-person competition-based software game called INTEGRAL! CONFLICT! The purpose of this game is to help the players better understand limits - one of the central concepts of Calculus. The advisor for their investgation was IMSA staff member Dr. Don Porzio.
Two competitors play this game in one web browser with a standard keyboard that has a numbers keypad: one player manipulates 6 alphabet keys on the left of the computer keyboard; the other player manipulates 6 keys on the number keypad. To learn how to play the game and try it out, click on the INTEGRAL! CONFLICT! graphic.
Abstract
The goal of our Inquiry project was to design a program that teaches the user the principles of limits, one of the fundamental aspects of calculus. We decided to use Macromedia Flash MX for this project due to its combination of interactivity and ease of use. We analyzed examples of other educational software to determine their strengths and weaknesses. We then proceeded to create a design that captures the attention of the user while maintaining academic focus.
We arrived upon the idea of a two player adversarial situation. This was intended to provide replay value and challenge, since a human opponent is smart and unpredictable. This type of game provides more motivation to improve due to the embarrassment of losing to another human. The primary interface is similar to that of a table-top board game, where players control groups of units. The second mode presents a series of math questions, rewarding points to the player who answers first. As of now, all of the design aspects are finalized and many features have already been implemented into the code. Our work this year has provided us with valuable experience in software design, especially in the edutainment industry.