On the influence of software application for visualization in teaching double integrals

Abstract

© 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. In this paper the authors described the influence of the computer-based environment on students’ learning achievement of the multidimensional calculus, in particular double integrals. The research was conducted with the second year students at the University of Kragujevac, Serbia, with two groups of students: the experimental and the control one. During the learning process of the experimental group, the materials made in Wolfram Mathematica were used for visualization. Students from the experimental group used these materials in order to successfully solve their double integral tasks. In the control group, students did not use a computer. The students in both groups got the identical tasks in their learning process and for the exam. During the exam, the students from both groups were not allowed to use computers. The results of the students’ exam tasks were analyzed, with the emphasis on influence of visualization using computer environment, in determining the domain and integration bounds within solving double integrals. It was shown that the students from the experimental group had better results in all the exam tasks and that the software application for the visualization of multivariate functions contributed to better students’ achievements in determining the domain of integration and the integration bounds in order to solve double integrals.