Students learn about graphs of position, velocity, and acceleration, and explore the connection between animated motions and graphs. This software package simulates a ball rolling on an inclined track. Students may either attempt to match the motion of a ball on a track to a set of graphs by adjusting initial position and velocity, or attempt to create a set of graphs that characterize the pre-determined motion of a ball. In either event, students learn the connections between motion and the representation of that motion on graphs.
Teachers can either create original problems, or use any of a number of available options.
There are interactive instructions on using the program, and on-line help about graphs and motion. Read through the user's manual as necessary to get a good understanding of the workings of the program. Be prepared to explain the nature and possible use of the software in a classroom teaching situation. The instructor may give you a set of situations to interpret, and you should be able to do so without having to resort to trial and error.