Support for Online Mathematics Education: MeML and WME Services Xiao Zou Institute for Computational Mathematics Kent State University Kent, OH , U.S.A

The WME Concept

The WME Architecture WME : Web-based Mathematics Education MeML: Mathematics Education Markup Language MESP: Mathematics Education Service Protocol

MeML and WME Services

Relation with WME Pilot Site WME Pilot Site Modeling (analysis, design) MeML Design WME Pilot Site Deployment (code, delivery, feedback) MeML Plug-in Construction WME Service Definition WME Service Construction Integration T-Model Client-side Requirements T-Model Server-side Requirements feedback

Mathematics Education Markup Language  MeML aims to provide effective and expressive means for structuring and delivering mathematics education content on the Web.  MeML supports authoring, storing, processing, and exchanging mathematics education materials over Web.  MeML is a XML language. It can be used with HTML, MathML, etc.

Mathematics Education Markup Language – cont. CategoryElements Content concept, skill, terminology, problem, identity, theorem, formula, diagram, equation, algorithm, definition, property, operation, notation Education lesson, example, exercise, assessment, homework, test, remediation, question, diagnosis, answer, solution Organization abstract, syllabus, roster, guide, hint, chapter, summary Computation variable, expression, computation, mathgraph, assign, range, with, condition, function System certifieduser, monitor, editable, userinput, interaction, use, parameter, wmeservice, configure, sensitive, manipulative, deploy, vsection

Processing MeML Page Download (Browser) Translation (XSLT Processor) Loading (Browser, MeML Plug-in) Interaction (Browser, Plug-in) MeML HTML+Script+Object DOM User WME Services LocalRemote

MeML Plug-in: Woodpecker  A prototype of MeML Processor as Browser Plug-in or ActiveX Control  Translating MeML content into XHTML / Script / in-page objects  Supporting import/export “Manipulatives” and page customization  Being interaction agent between user and WME service  Simulating MeML DOM

Woodpecker Event Handlers [ MeMLInit(), MeMLEvent() ] Event Handlers [ MeMLInit(), MeMLEvent() ] DOM MeMLFE MathGraph Computation Miscellaneous Controls Miscellaneous Controls MESP ( Dynamic Link Library ) MESP ( Dynamic Link Library ) Methods / Properties Access Event Local Data Storage Persistent Data Access WME Service Access MeML Page Update

WME Services  Generating dynamic content for MeML pages.  Supporting educational activities like online test, student performance assessment, etc.  Supporting online math computation with IAMC technologies.  Using MESP/SOAP as service accessing protocol

Accessing WME Services

Core WME Services  Account service help author of MeML page to validate and identify page visitor assign virtual passport to visitors which can be accepted by any WME server deal with the relationship among student, teacher, and course.  Repository service Provide general storing and retrieving service to dynamic data generated from educating activities. Data is associated with MeML page URL, name and ID of MeML tag creating the data, and virtual passport of current page visitor. The explanation to the created data depends on the corresponding MeML tag.

Core WME Services  Computation service Encapsulate online mathematics computation served by powerful compute engines like Maple, Maxima, etc. Several compute engines can be accessed through one IAMC server which hides the difference of compute engines' interfaces.  Terminology service Supplie formal and in-depth explanation to mathematics knowledge defined by content elements.

Live examples of MeML & WME Service  Import Manipulative  Code To start over simply reload the page. <manipulative id="pizza" rid="pizzapan" type="import" wmeurl=" /kimpton/topicobjects.meml" scriptlib=" wme.cs.kent.edu/kimpton /javascripts/grid5.js" csslib=" /pizzanb.css" />  WME Service: None  Link to pageLink to page

Live examples of MeML & WME Service  Using system elements  Code Discussion If 50% of the cost of your meal actually goes to pay labor at the restaurant, what is the labor cost for your meal?(Type just a number, without any dollar sign.) If you wish to leave 10% (ten percent) tip based on the total before tax, how much is your tip?  WME Service: Account service & repository service  Link to pageLink to page

Live examples of MeML & WME Service  Using computation element  Code x y a b x^2*Cos[y]- Sin[x]*y^2 Plot3D Expression: 1st Variable: 2nd Variable: Minimal Range: Maximal Range:  WME Service: Computation service  Link to pageLink to page

Conclusion  MeML is an education-oriented XML language. It is designed for math teachers with basic knowledge of HTML page authoring. It could also greatly simplify coding work of advanced programmer.  MeML supports structural storage of education materials, dynamic and interoperable content creation, and online mathematics computation.  WME service provides a uniform interface to link education resources into MeML page.  WME technologies can facilitate the creating work of education pages and online courseware, support interoperation and customization of Internet education resource, and promote the online delivery of math education.

WME Working Group  Prof. Paul S. Wang (ICM/Kent)  Prof. Michael Mikusa (College of Education/Kent)  Mrs. Grace Dorene Ellis (Kimpton Middle School)  Mrs. Kim Yoak (Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools)  Mr. Jeff Jarvis (Kimpton Middle School)  Mr. Jacob Miller (Kimpton Middle School)  Mrs. Katie Jones (Lake Middle School)  Annie Jedick (College of Education/Kent)  Mr. David Chiu (ICM/Kent)  Mr. Xun Lai (ICM/Kent)  Dr. Xiao Zou (ICM/Kent)  Mr. Saleh Al-shomrani (ICM/Kent)  Mr. Kahraman Cem Karadeniz (Gem) (ICM/Kent)  Mr. Adnan Eshaque (ICM/Kent)  Prof. Li Lian (Lanzhou University, PRC)  Ping Wang (Lanzhou University, PRC)  Su Wei (Lanzhou University, PRC)  Chunyang Zhang (Lanzhou University, PRC)