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Chapters

This textbook is organized into 12 chapters covering 200 concepts.

Chapter Overview

  1. Foundations of Learning Objective Analysis - Covers Bloom's Taxonomy, cognitive complexity levels, learning objective classification, and the framework for analyzing educational objectives.

  2. Prerequisite Analysis and MicroSim Fundamentals - Introduces MicroSims, interactive simulations, prerequisite knowledge identification, concept dependencies, and simulation readiness assessment.

  3. The MicroSim Pattern Library - Comprehensive coverage of visualization paradigms including motion, physics, dynamic systems, relationships, hierarchies, sequences, charts, spatial displays, and classification visuals.

  4. Visualization Libraries and Tools - Covers p5.js, vis-network, vis-timeline, Chart.js, Plotly, Leaflet, Mermaid, and Claude Code skills including the MicroSim generator.

  5. Writing Effective MicroSim Specifications - Addresses specification documents, visual descriptions, interaction behaviors, constraints, success criteria, edge cases, and intent preservation.

  6. Adapting for Audience Levels - Covers cognitive development theory and design considerations for early childhood through graduate and corporate training contexts.

  7. Cognitive Load and Visual Design - Explores working memory, long-term memory, schema formation, cognitive load theory, split attention, progressive disclosure, and design tradeoffs.

  8. Anticipating Misconceptions - Addresses mental models, common misconceptions, correction strategies, productive failure, prediction prompts, and model comparison techniques.

  9. Generating MicroSims with AI Tools - Covers prompt engineering, refinement prompts, generation workflow, output interpretation, and version control.

  10. Quality Evaluation Frameworks - Addresses technical, pedagogical, and UX evaluation; testing methods; rubric development; and documentation standards.

  11. User Testing and Iteration - Covers think-aloud protocols, A/B testing, learner feedback analysis, and the design-test-refine cycle.

  12. Accessibility, Deployment, and Course Completion - Covers universal design, UDL principles, LMS integration, analytics, maintenance planning, and portfolio assessment.

  13. Capstone Projects - Guidance in creating a project where you work in teams to build a portion of an intelligent textbook with MicroSims.

How to Use This Textbook

This textbook follows a carefully designed learning progression where each chapter builds on concepts from previous chapters. The dependency structure ensures that prerequisite knowledge is always introduced before it is needed. We recommend completing chapters in order, especially for your first reading, as later chapters assume familiarity with earlier material.

Each chapter includes a list of concepts covered and identifies which previous chapters contain prerequisite material. Use these guides to create a personalized learning path if you need to focus on specific topics.

Note: Each chapter includes a list of concepts covered. Make sure to complete prerequisites before moving to advanced chapters.