----- Original Message -----
From: Ann Navin <navina@rpi.edu>
To: <littmh@rpi.edu>; <fleisb@rpi.edu>; <eapeng@rpi.edu>
Cc: <mannik@rpi.edu>; <navina@rpi.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 1999 2:17 AM
Subject: drag forces module

> Hello all,
> I am Ann Navin, the new Interface Designer at Project Links (I have taken
> over Virginia Eubanks' position so she can write her thesis). One of my
> tasks is to complete the alpha and beta testing of the modules. The alpha
> testing entails making sure the module fits into the Links design format,
> the applets, animations and/or videos work, that the content is logical in
> our functionality navigation, as well as to review the aesthetics and
> overall usability of the module. The beta testing entails checking grammar,
> punctuation and spelling, looking for broken links, broken applets, and
> basically copy-editing the module. . I realize Virginia reviewed your Drag
> Forces module a while ago, but as this is one of Links' "priority modules",
> I wanted to review it myself (so some of my comments might be repeats of
> Virginia's suggestions that you are already working on). Consider it my Beta
> test, since most of my comments are of the copy-editing variety.
>
> This email is a bit lengthy, but I wanted to make it thorough--most of my
> comments are detail-oriented. If you have any questions or comments, please
> contact me via email (navina@rpi.edu) or at ext. 6136 in the Links Lab.
>
> Drag Forces alpha/beta testing:  links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/dragforces
>
> Content Developers: Littman, Fleishman
>
> Programmers: Eapen, HTML
>
> General Comments:
>
> **Great Intro!! Nice use of video to engage students! Good
> introduction/set-up for the module.
>
> **Good, clear objectives!
>
> **Great Headings on each page--lets students know where they are and what to
> expect for each page!!
>
> **Excellent titles on the derivation pages and other Links links.
>
> **Great Collaborate and Practice Questions!
>
> **Overall excellent use of the Functional Navigation in this module!!!!
> Hooray!!!!
>
> However....
>
> **Please use the Java Script script for the functional navigation bar (an
> example of the code is found in links.math.rpi.edu/devmodules/template)
>
> **I know we're still having problems with Tech Explorer in Netscape--is it
> possible to use HTML tags for some of the equations and variables? Please be
> sure to specify appropriate width and height parameters in the math scripts
> you are using to help minimize the scrollbar in Netscape problems.
>
> **Using Prior and Next Buttons--they took me through the Terminal Velocity
> Collaborate page, then it jumps back to the Summary Applications page. Can
> you fix it so the Next button takes you completely through the module?
>
> **Nice crib sheet!
>
> **Excellent Library section!!!!
>
> **Should the variables be italicized in the text describing equations
> throughout the module? (e.g. using "y" in the first paragraph on
> html/vacvel_theory.html, and html/chain_rule.html--but happens throughout
> the module.) The equations are all italicized, and when reading the
> explanatory text, some of the variables look like they're typos or something
> if they're not italicized.
>
> More specific comments
>
> **html/vacvel_theory.html:
>
> --Please join the first two sentences with a semicolon and a comma after
> therefore: "...time; therefore,..."
>
> --Perhaps change the heading to Chain Rule (instead of Math Link 1).
>
> --Maybe make it a pop-up box so users won't lose their spots in the
> module??? Or add a line at the bottom of the page directing students to use
> the back button on their browser to return to where they left off in the
> module. (I know Virginia thinks that users tend to get confused if there are
> too many windows opening up within a module, but is it possible to use
> Java Script to make it not look exactly like the original browser window?)
>
> --Is there a link to elaborate on the vacuum in outer space point at the
> bottom of the page? I know I'm being nit-picky, but would be cool to include
> if one exists.
>
> **html/vacforce_theory.html--Perhaps use boxed text instead of the rule box
> (also found in the template)
>
> **Nice explanation of Behr free fall in html/vacforce_exper.html
>
> **Is there a reason why there are two pages for the bob experiment?
> html/vacvel_exper.html and html/vacforce_exper.html  both describe the same
> thing, but look a little different. Pick one and go with it--I prefer the
> page with more explanation (is it necessary to offer the option of AVI or
> Quicktime video?) which is the vacforce_exper.html
>
> **html/fluforce_theory.html-- is it possible to link Newton's Second Law to
> a glossary entry or another explanatory link?
>
> **html/fluforce_deriv.html--in the second equation (from "and integrating
> from t=0...) is the \thinsp (in red) meant to be a symbol (an integral
> perhaps?)--a math script glitch?
>
> **html/fluvel_deriv.html--again the \thinsp code in "And integrating from
> y=0..."
>
> **fluvel_exer.html--please format the copyright info at the bottom of the
> page.
>
> **Great applets in fluvel_exper.html!
>
> **html/summary_exper.html--this applet doesn't allow the user to choose the
> object from the pull-down menu, but the applet on the Practice page
> (html/summary_exer.html) does. Can you fix the one on the exper.html page?
> If the difference is intentional,can you reword the explanation paragraph on
> the bottom of the summary_exper.html page?
>
> **Great use of video in Applications section!
>
> **Great Collaborate Questions!
>
> **html/taylor_series.html:
>
> --is there any way to use HTML tags on this page instead of math scripts?
> The page width with the math scripts is problematic (but not crucial--just
> annoying to have to scroll left and right to see everything).
>
> --the \thinsp problem again in the binomial series discussion
>
> --consider highlighting the different series names instead of underlining
> them. Or even giving them headings within the page; it is important to
> clearly distinguish the different types of series you're talking about.
>
> **html/compare_theory.html--after the first equation under CASE 1 the ";y"
> isn't on the same line as the equation.
>
> **html/temvel_theory.html:
>
> --delete "above" in first sentence (so it reads "We have examined
> quantitative differences...")
>
> --in the second paragraph: consider rephrasing the second sentence to "Since
> a vacuum is devoid of matter, it has no such interactions..."
>
> --in the sentences after eqn (3.2), consider rephrasing the first one to
> read "The acceleration here is not constant, as opposed to the case of fall
> in a vacuum where a=g" and the second sentence to "Combining eqns (3.2) and
> (7.1), we see that the acceleration is zero in terminal fall."
>
> --in the sentence after eqn (7.3), consider rephrasing to "It is not
> necessary to solve the differential equation (3.2) to determine terminal
> velocity, since...."
>
> **Appreciate the humor in "Save a Skydiver" section--great application to
> demonstrate the importance of drag forces!
>
> **html/save_exer.html--please format the copyright info at the bottom of the
> page
>
> **html/analexper_apply.html:
>
> --Please spell separate correctly (after eqn (9.1) in "Separating
> variables..." not "Seperating...")
>
> --Quandary is misspelled in the heading ANALYSIS-UNRAVELING THE QUANDARY
>
> --also, in point 2) after the ANALYSIS heading, dimensionless is misspelled
>
> --in eqn (9.1), m/s is on a different line than 0.977
>
> --please format the copyright info at the bottom of the page.
>
> --Great use of practice and collaborate sections within this page! Having
> the students move from page to page (with appropriate reminders as to where
> they should be) breaks up the exercises and engages them in the lesson.
>
> --double check to make sure the width and height parameters are correct on
> the math equations (or change the simpler ones to HTML tags).
>
> **html/analexper_deriv.html:
>
> --Equation is misspelled in the first sentence
>
> --m/s is on a different line in eqn (9.1)
>
> --Also, separating misspelled in the "Separating variables..." line.
>
> **html/analexper_discuss.html:
>
> --Q1 "the experiment is carried out in air, not a vacuum"--missing a comma
> between air and not.
>
> --Q2 "Why do eqns (9.2) and (9.3) essentially give the same result?"--flip
> flop essentially and give, and put parentheses around the eqn numbers (for
> consistency).
>
> --Q2 "Show mathematically that when {eqn} and {eqn} are small, eqns (9.2)
> and (9.3) are identical."--missing a comma between small and eqns.
>
> **html/dynamicsm_theory.html:
>
> --Consider rephrasing the first sentence to "Using the concept of dynamic
> similarity, we will show that the motion..."
>
> I really enjoyed working through the Drag Forces module! You really have
> made excellent use of the web medium and provide engaging activities for
> your students! Excellent job!
>
> If you have any questions or comments, please email or call.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Ann Navin
>
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