The future of smart graphs
The smart graph examples here used pre-recorded data.
In order to
take the next step and respond to real data, the smart graph will
have additional capabilities:
• Smooth the data, so that maxima, minima, averages, and slopes can be
calculated more easily
• Find maxima and minima
• Find differencs
• Find averages and slopes in regions designated by the student
• Identify regions with different types of curves, such as constant slope
upward or downward, increasing or decreasing slope
There is also great potential in having the smart graph display the output of
models, such as Molecular Workbench and NetLogo.
There's an enormous amount of information in a graph, which makes graphs very
rich and interesting tools for understanding. In each situation,
what should be noticed and interpreted—and what can be ignored—is
different. This is a challenge for the author of the smart graph
questions, but it's also why this capability is so useful for
teaching.
Understanding graphs is a fundamental part of scientific literacy. Smart
graphs may make your students smarter about graphs!