Welcome to the MathDL OSSLETS collection

The first three osslets (Open Source, Sharable Mathlets) use Macromedia Shockwave and Macromedia Flash. Free players are readily available for both and many Internet users already use them. We expect to include Java based osslets in the future.

The first osslet, multiParameterAnimation, can be used to create live graphs and animations of one or more functions that depend on several parameters. Students can change the values of any of the parameters or they can animate the graph(s) to show what happens as any one of the parameters changes.

The second osslet, linearTransformation, can be used to explore visually the effects of a linear transformation of the plane given by a matrix equation y = Ax. A variation of this osslet can be used to explore a two dimensional linear system of differential equations.

The third osslet, PlanarGraphs, can be used to study planarity for graphs. Students can attempt to show that a graph is planar by moving its nodes.

Like all osslets, these osslets include ready-to-use sample curriculum materials and they are designed so that you can easily build Web pages using your favorite authoring environment (for example, Microsoft FrontPage) that use these osslets. You do not need to know any programming. Osslets are open source in two senses. First, the sample curriculum materials can be modified and built upon. Second, the Shockwave, Flash, or Java components are designed so their action is readily modified without any reprogramming. The source code is also included for those who do want to do some reprogramming. Permission is explicity granted for re-use and modification of anything in the OSSLET collection. The editors encourage to both use these OSSLETs and submit your own OSSLETs for publication on this site.

Osslets bring the power of the open source movement from software development to curriculum development.  For the casual user, osslets offer free, high-quality, ready-to-use, interactive curriculum materials.  For progressively more adventurous users, osslets are open-ended and flexible.  The curriculum materials accompanying each osslet are written in generally available formats – for example, Microsoft Word – and users are encouraged to modify them.  There are only two rules – you must give credit to the original author and cite the source and you must agree to the open source philosophy – that is, you must provide permission for further use and modification. 

Each osslet also includes at least one interactive component.  As of now, osslet interactive components are written in Java, Macromedia Director (Shockwave), or Macromedia Flash.  The players for all these are free.  These interactive components are written for flexibility.  You will find that you can modify their behavior without knowing any programming.  But, these interactive components are also open source and users are welcome to modify them subject to the same two rules above.  Osslets include source code, complete documentation for use at various levels, and they explicitly include permission for re-use and modification.  All the materials you need are included with the osslets.

Thus, each osslet includes all of the following:

• An interactive component written in Java, Director (Shockwave), or Flash.  The component is flexible and ready-to-use with no knowledge of programming.  However, source code is also included for those who want to modify it.
• At least two ready-to-use curriculum units.  The editable documents are included for those who want to make modifications.
• Several shorter examples illustrating the flexibility of the interactive component.
• Supporting files and documentation.
• Explicit permission for re-use and modification.

Osslets will be reviewed by the editorial board at the United States Military Academy once each month.  To be reviewed at a monthly meeting of the editorial board an osslet must be received at least two weeks prior to the board meeting.  Thus, each submission will be reviewed within two – six weeks after it is received.

Submissions should be complete and ready to be posted on the osslet Web site.  If a submission is accepted by the editorial board it will be posted within one week(or as soon as feasible) of the editorial board meeting.  Thus, accepted osslets will appear on the Web site within three – seven weeks of the time they were received.  The keys to this rapid turnaround are that submissions should be of high scientific and pedagogical quality; they should be ready to post; and they should be thoroughly edited and the interactive components thoroughly tested before submission.  In general, a submission that does not meet these standards will be returned to the author for corrections and/or edits. The editing panel may include suggestions and comments when applicable.

Submissions must include all of the following:

• For the interactive component: An executable file (e.g. .dcr for Shockwave), source code (e.g., .dir file for Shockwave), and complete documentation.  Documentation of simulations must cover underlying algorithms and models.
• At least two ready-to-use curriculum units.  These must be in an editable format (e. g. Microsoft Word) and must include all supporting materials – any instructor notes, associated homework assignments or quizzes, and anything else that is needed to use the unit.
• Possibly additional examples showing the flexibility of the interactive component.
• Complete documentation explaining how the osslet may be used for each of the following types of use:
• Use of an off-the-shelf curriculum unit with no modification.
• Flexible use of the interactive component that does not require programming.  Typically this involves changing parameters in the html code that calls the interactive component but it might involve other techniques as well – for example, using html forms and Javascript.
• Use involving programming.  The interactive components should include well-commented source code and sufficient documentation.
• A signed copy of the Osslet Open Source Agreement.

All submissions should be sent via email to: osslets@usma.edu

Alex Heidenberg

Steve Horton

Mike Huber

Ian McCulloh

Jack Picciuto (editor)

Mick Smith

Rod Sturdivant (editor)

David Trubatch

Frank Wattenberg

Mailing Address

Department of Mathematical Sciences
Swift Road
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY 10996