Development of web-based numerical wave tank and java applets as an advanced tool for teaching wave mechanics
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In this paper, the effectiveness of a user-interactive Web-based teaching tool is discussed. One of the topics that students may have some degree of difficulty in understanding Ocean Wave Mechanics may be the propagation and interaction of ocean waves and related physical phenomena. Explaining this kind of topic using only mathematical formulas may not be good enough for students to build strong knowledge in solving relevant problems. Our research shows that visual representation helps students to learn complicated mathematical subjects more rapidly and easily, and to better understand its complex physical phenomena. The recent advancement of visualization technology in Internet enables more effective visual dissemination and representation of complicated physics to students in remote place than ever before. We developed Web-based Numerical Wave Tank (WebNWT) using Java technology for distance education tools over the Internet. This paper addresses the structure of WebNWT and how WebNWT can help students to better understand complicated physics, such as wave interaction and propagation. The advantage of WebNWT over conventional non-interactive pedagogy in conveying knowledge is also discussed. Some exit survey results are collected from undergraduate and graduate students, and the data are analyzed.
