Image_and_Cursor

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Image_and_Cursor is designed for use in modules in which students use information obtained from images. For example, students might be asked to find the distance from Kabul to Kandahar in the map above. They would do this by clicking on Kabul to find its coordinates (in pixels with the origin at the lower left) and then on Kandahar to find its coordinates. They would then use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the distance between Kabul and Kandahar in pixels. Finally they would use measurements made on the scale at the bottom of the map to convert from distance measured in pixels to distance measured in miles or kilometers.

Description

Files and Documentation

Distances in Afghanistan

In this module students determine the distance between different points on a map. It uses only the most basic features of Image_and_Cursor. You can customize this module in many different ways. For example, you might substitute a map that is more interesting to your students or you might substitute a picture taken through a microscope.

You can also develop other modules that rely on a few simple measurements from an image.

Basic files. These files are necesssary if you want to develop your own module or to modify one of the existing modules using Image_and_Cursor. When these files are unzipped they will be placed in a new directory Image_and_Cursor_All. You should develop your own modules within the same directory. Your first step after unzipping this directory should be to double click the file afghanistan_distance.html.

In the unlikely event that this does not work then try the file afghanistan_distances_alt.html. If you experience this difficulty then you will need to delete the code archive="Image_and_Cursor.jar" from the applet tags whenever you develop a module using Image_and_Cursor.

The User's Manual (.doc). This is a 19 page 1.1 MB Microsoft Word document describing the features of Image_and_Cursor and how to use them. This document is necessary only for advanced use of Image_and_Cursor.

A two page Microsoft Word document that has the information you need to create modules that are very similar to this module and do not use the more advanced features of Image_and_Cursor.

Ideas for Finding Maps. This link takes you to a page written by Suzanne Alejandre at the Math Forum at Drexel with some ideas for finding maps on the Web.

The Length of the Border Between Iran and Afghanistan

In this module students estimate the length of the border between Afghanistan and Iran. This module might be used to lead students to discover for themselves how to estimate the length of an irregular curve.

This module also introduces the way in which Lite Applets an be used together with a spreadsheet or computer algebra system. This in one of the key ideas underlying the Lite Applet Library. These applets are designed to be used in conjunction with general purpose tools like spreadsheets and computer algebra systems, so that students develop general purpose skills.

Be sure you have already downloaded the files for the previous module, Distances in Afghanistan. This module builds on the previous one.

As with all these modules, you are welcome to use the files as is or to modify them. To see the code for an html file choose View --> Source in your browser. You can copy and paste this source code into a new file that you can edit using your favorite text editing program or a program like Dreamweaver or Front Page.

Two-page instructions for using Image_and_Cursor with a spreadsheet

Analyzing the Curve of a Water Fountain

A student-ready version of this module

This module illustrates the way that Image_and_Cursor can be used together with forms and Javascript.

Be sure you have already downloaded the files for the previous modules. This module builds on this previous work.

If you modify this module you will need the water fountain gif

One-page instructions for adding a curve to the image

One-page instructions for using forms

Two-page instructions for writing a new html page in response to the user

Finding the Area of Colombia

In this module students estimate the area of Columbia. Using this module students might discover for themselves several different ways to estimatye the area of an irregular region.

This module introduces a new feature of Image_and_Cursor -- the ability to add a grid to an image and to mark and count selected cells in the grid.

Be sure you have already downloaded the files for the previous modules. This module builds on this previous work.

If you modify this module you will need the map of Colombia.

Three-page instructions for adding a grid and counting selected grid boxes