Team Abstract

Investigations of An Interactive Textbook

Team Members: Ramatoulie Bah, Linwood Creekmore, Torreon Creekmore and Vincent Davis
Team Mentors: Dr. Vinod Manglik and Dr. Sobhy Attala

The objective of this project was to evaluate an interactive Physics software package created by previous research teams through the partnership of Elizabeth City State University and Cairo University. The software package was originally created in the late 1990's and intended to be used as a classroom accessory. The goal for its development was to produce the Computer Aided Education multimedia software introductory physics package.

The team examined the software package and suggested improvements. The package was divided into seven units, which are Mechanics, Heat and Thermodynamics, Oscillations and Waves, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics and Modern Physics. The team went through each of the units in the package and made initial observations, then suggested improvements to improve user understanding and in terms of content and comprehensibility. Some modifications were done in order to achieve a more, user-friendly version. In the course of preparing any product for the market, an extensive and diligent evaluation process must take place to make sure the product is adequate and meets its purpose. The physics team was thus challenged with evaluating the software package to make sure it was ready for the market.

The evaluation process consisted of examining the individual aspects of the package from several standpoints. First, the physical appearance of the package and its attractiveness to users. Second, the contents and validity to the topics of introductory physics. Third, the audio and video quality and its relevance to the program, and lastly, the team will evaluate the cohesiveness of the program itself. Finally, a period was also set aside to designate corrections that can be made to improve the package as a whole.