MathCAL-II: A Petri-net Based System for Assisting Mathematical Problem Solving

• Main Authors: Sun Chin Hsin, 孫晉忻
• Other Authors: Janet Mei-Chuen Lin
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/23724184823948623187

碩士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 資訊教育學系 === 93 === MathCAL-II is a piece of software for students to practice solving mathematical word problems in trigonometry. At the core of the system is a database that stores experts’ problem-solving paths. These solution paths are stored as Petri net graphs internally. MathCAL-II also dynamically records a learner’s solution path during a practicing session. Thus it can compare a learner’s partial solution path against all correct solution paths to identify a best match, which can then be used to provide guidance to a learner in case s/he requests help. In a series of experiments that we conducted in a local high school, 58 students who participated voluntarily were divided randomly into the treatment group and the control group. The treatment group used MathCAL-II to practice solving trigonometric word problems, whereas the control group used the traditional pencil-and-paper approach. Results revealed that the students in the treatment group made significantly more progress than those in the control group. A questionnaire survey also showed that MathCAL-II not only improved students’ understanding of mathematical concepts in trigonometry but had positive influence on students’ attitudes toward learning trigonometry.