Speaker
Description
Quantitative modeling is essential in the life and environmental sciences, yet students often face significant barriers due to "math anxiety" and programming complexity. While differential equations are often perceived as dry or difficult, interactive simulations offer a playful entry point that fosters intuitive understanding. However, traditional "downloadable models" often suffer from software dependencies and lack of integrated documentation, creating technical hurdles that distract from learning.
Drawing on our experience of using our own CRAN packages for research and teaching, we present a pedagogical evolution that leverages R’s statistical and visualization capabilities to overcome these issues. We demonstrate how to integrate tutorial content directly with interactive tools using three complementary approaches:
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Interactive Exploration: Shiny applications that embed instructional material, using climate trend visualization as an example.
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Structured Dashboards: Using deSolve-backed simulators to teach population dynamics, resource limitation, and predator-prey interaction to secondary school educators and students.
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Integrated Tutorials: Using WebAssembly/webR-enabled slides to provide interactive environments for classroom demonstrations and lab exercises.
Beyond specific case studies, we will discuss the technical transition from monolithic Shiny apps to modular Quarto dashboards and webR. This simplifies maintenance and allows for the seamless integration of narrative text and live code. Attendees will gain insights into designing educational tools that reduce entry barriers while opening the door to the full power of the R ecosystem.
Additional Material or Paper
https://weblab.hydro.tu-dresden.de/
If you used AI tools or services to support the preparation of this submission, please state the name and reason for using each of them.
I utilized Gemini 3 Flash and DeepL to refine the abstract's English grammar and flow. While the initial draft, the general structure, and all technical concepts were my own, Gemini was also used iteratively for "Inspiration and Reflection" to critique understandability and focus. Final editing was done by me.
| Keywords: Please list up to 5 keywords to help us find the right session for your contribution. | open educational resources (OER), differental equations, dynamic models, modular structure |
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| Virtual Option | This submission is for onsite presentation only |
| Material License | CC-BY 4.0 |
| Video Recording | Video sharing is fine |
| The author(s) agree(s) to take responsibility and be accountable for the contents of the submission and is/are authorized to present it. | Confirm |
| Interested in serving as reviewer? | thomas.petzoldt@tu-dresden.de |