Demonstrations
of
model-driven Micro Worlds

prototypes, simulations, experimental designs, experimental versions built with our own design systems

for demonstration purposes only

(a research project about the performance of complex applets and Java)

By Jan de Goeijen (libraries), Jakob Sikken (pre prototypes) and Rik Min (designer)
Enschede, febr. 4, 1995 - 2004; updated 2015

the 'JavaTHESIS'-project

Please: use java in your browser! and sorry for some broken links!

experimental prototypes

1: Runable Java-applets (prototypes) (part of the 'JavaTHESIS'-project)
2: Runable JavaScripts (prototypes) (part of the 'WebLib'-project)
3: HTML, DHTML, ActionScript and XML prototypes
4: Courses, manuals or other sites
5: Backgrounds: informations about the models, concepts, etc.

Our prototypes are build for demonstration purposes only. Every page and every applet is different to the others. Here you see at first our complex applets as open interactive micro-worlds. Some micro-worlds contains (parallel) assignments; some micro-worlds contains (parallel) instructions; some micro-worlds contains (parallel) video instructions; some micro-worlds contains help-files; some micro-worlds contains a lot of texts; some micro-worlds are prepared 'cases' or 'problems' (to solve that problem). Some micro-worlds on web-pages contains nothing: now text, no pictures, no cases, no coaches at all. On the bottom of this page you see other information about this research about methods and techniques for model-driven open e-learning environments.

1. Runable Java-applets (our prototypes)

TRANSISTOR is a model about the behaviour of a basic transistor circuit with 4 resistors in a normal signal amplifier circuit. Microworlds like this are useful in the physics or electronics curriculum as a training in direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) before starting real experiments. Students can change the form of the input (sinus, block or pulse), the frequency and the amplitude of the input. Furthermore, the properties of the electronic network can be changed: resistors, capacitors, etc.

FILTERS is a model about the behaviour of an electric circuit only with resistors and capacitors. Microworlds like this are useful in training xxx before starting real experiments. Students can change the input (sinus, block or pulse), the frequency and the amplitude of the input. Furthermore, the two properties of this electronic network: the resistor (R) and the capacitor (C).

AXON is a model about the action potential (the 'voltage' or 'output') in a nerve, in relation to a stimulus (the 'input'). In 1952 Hodgkin and Huxley published a quantitative model of the electrical and electrochemical phenomena in the environment of the membrane of a nerve fiber based on their theory. The original model of Hodgkin and Huxley was not a mathematical model but an electric circuit consisting of capacitors and resistors. however, it is very simple to transfer this model into a mathematical model. Although some of the aspects of the conductivity of the cell membrane were not described correctly by Hodgkin and Huxley, their model is still very useful for the education of medical students and biology students as it can be used as a simplified version of the correct model thus helping the students to build a conceptual 'framework' model which can be filled with the complete and correct conceptual model in a later phase of their education. It can also be used as a demonstration for the experimental research techniques used in cell physiology.

BOILER is a model that is able to simulate the working of a solar boiler installation consisting of a collector, a storage vessel, a heat exchanger with a pump which runs through the collector and storage vessel and a possibility for tapping. The simulation enables students to become familiar with the characteristics of a solar boiler and to gain insight into the influences of different interventions in the model around the installation. A lot of interventions are possible. For example, students can change the intensity of the sun-rays, the heat capacity of the collector, the reflexion of the collector, the primary pump, the outside temperature and the load of the boiler vessel.

CARDIO is a model to study the control mechanisms of human bloodpressures. The model simulatates the blood pressure regulation under normal and abnormal conditions. The model allows the simulation of pathological conditions, such as myocardial infarct, renal artery stenosis or renal insufficiency. Therapeutic interventions in abnormal conditions can also be simulated. The program allows the application of drugs like cardiac glycosides, diuretics or vasodilator. It is original a model developed by T. Coleman. This microworld enables students to experiment with the basic principles of blood pressure regulation for a healthy young man. The program simulates an experimental laboratory where hemodynamic research can be done, variables can be registered, and where interventions in the model can be made without real-life complications. With this model the student can do a series of experiments, such as the simulation of heart failure, hypertension, renal failure, exceptional blood loss, selective venous constriction, and selective arterial constriction.

ECONOMY is a model about This program is based on a complex small open economy model (the Netherlands) of Miltenburg. It is a product of Enschede UT in cooporation with the Rotterdam University (EUR) and the University of Moskou. The program covers: The Dutch economy and in particular macro-economics. The relations are described in the form of discrete mathematical formula. An aptitude for mathematics and abstract thinking is a prerequisite for understanding the relationships. A simulations of this economic system can be used in a game-like context. The interaction with these game-like simulations can have two positive effects on the students: an increased motivation to learn and the gain of (almost) concrete experience, which is hard to gain in any other way.

VIJVER is a model of the ecological processes of plants, minerals, water, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Green plants (producers) synthesize organic material during photosynthesis. Light is required in order to do this. Oxygen is produced during photosynthesis. For their food carps and silvercarps (consumers) depend on plants (directly or indirectly). Within an ecosystem, several (long and short) food-chains and food-webs may exist. The organic material is mineralized by bacteria and fungi (reducers). The microworlds can simulate five ponds. In each pond oxygen, nitrate, phosphate and detritus (a complex of organic material and fungi and bacteria) are present. Pond 1: Algae. Pond 2 Silvercarps. Pond 3: Zooplankton and Benthos. Pond 4: Carps. Pond 5: All together, Carps, Silvercarps, etc.

CONTROL is one of the series of models about the control theory. All the versions are feedback systems: 1st order, 2nd order, with and/or without a PID regulator.

CASCADE is a model about 3 tanks with water: a water cascade. Between the tanks are taps. The model simulates the xxx and the xxxx.

FARMA is a model about xxxx

LEMMINGEN and BIOLOGY are models about xxxx

ENZYME is a model about xxxx

LEARNING is a model about how knowledge accumulates

NOKKEN-AS is a model about mechanical moving

VECTORS is a model about what power is and how vectors working together

Students products (1997/98):
some simulations (in Dutch) as LEMMINGEN, FARMA, TRANSISTOR, BOILER & AXON

Students products (1998/99):
a linear instruction (in Dutch) as E and H fields

Students products (1999/2000):
some simulations (in Dutch) as TRANSISTOR, CARDIO & BOILER

Students products (2000/2001):
some simulations (in Dutch) as AORTA, ECONOMIE, BOILER & VIJVER

Students products (2001/2002):
some simulations (in English) as CARDIO, AORTA, BOILER & FARMA (perfect version)

Students products (2002/2003):
some simulations (in English) as TRANSISTOR, BIOLOGY, CONTROL, CARDIO & AXON

Students products (2003/2004):
some simulations (in English) as TRANSISTOR, BIOLOGY, AXON, AXON, AXON, RC CIRCUIT & ECONOMIE (Keynes) (perfect version)

2. Experiments with JavaScript and our other applets:

3. Experiments with other programming languages

• HTML: See on an other place: special examples with HTML (in Dutch).
• DHTML: See on an other place: special examples with DHTML (in Dutch).
• XML: See on an other place: special examples with XML (in Dutch).
• Flash ActionScript: See on an other place: special examples with Flash ActionScript (in Dutch).
• VR:
  the computer animation program VR mol (incl. 1 opdracht) (versie a);
  the computer animation program VR mol (incl. 1 opdracht) (versie b);

4. Our own systems, courses and manuals (about Java, JavaScrip and HTML):

5. Products from others