The Characteristics of Writing Environments for Mathematics: Behavioral Consequences and Implications for Software Design and Usability

  • Authors:

  • Davood G. Gozli;Marco Pollanen;Michael Reynolds

  • Affiliations:

  • Dept. of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada K9J 7B8;Dept. of Mathematics, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada K9J 7B8;Dept. of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada K9J 7B8

  • Venue:
  • Calculemus '09/MKM '09 Proceedings of the 16th Symposium, 8th International Conference. Held as Part of CICM '09 on Intelligent Computer Mathematics
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

Effective communication and collaboration of symbolic and quantitative knowledge requires the digitization of mathematical expressions. The multi-dimensionality of mathematical notation creates a challenge for mathematical software editors. There are two different approaches for handling the multi-dimensionality of mathematical notation: either using a two-dimensional writing environment in which symbols can be placed freely (unit-based) or using an environment in which single-dimensional structural elements can be nested (structure-based). The structure-based approach constrains how users write expressions. These constraints may conflict with how mathematics is normally written. A study is reported that examines how users write mathematical expressions using two graphic based editors: one that is structure-based and one that allows the free-form manipulation of selected symbols in a diagrammatic fashion (unit-based). The results are contrasted with how users handwrite mathematics in a physical medium and implications are drawn for future software design.