Teaching Chaotic Dynamic Systems Using Interactive Java Applets Winfried Reiss , Universitaet, D-33095 Paderborn, Germany Java applets allow economic concepts to be taught in an online interactive manner. The presentation will demonstrate Java applets designed to introduce chaotic dynamic systems. Web links to a description of the chaotic systems and the applets will be given on the CAI page when they are available. The presentation will demonstrate the Interactive Economics Program, which displays economic ideas and issues through an audio story with dynamic visual display. Imbedded in the program are numerous opportunities for students to respond to questions.
Students answer questions by manipulate graphs with their cursor.
Based on the student's answers, the program chooses a tailored response and offers a rich audio and visual feedback. The design goal is to make the student feel like she is sitting with a tutor who is talking and drawing pictures in response to her questions. The paper will discuss the effects of a set of microeconomic and macroeconomic computer simulation modules from the SimEcon project on student retention of economic knowledge and attitudes toward economics. People interested in using the modules in their classes should contact the authors directly. The first part of the presentation will demonstrate how Mallard and CyberProf are used to facilitate interactive learning in principles classes.