A data smoothing app

In Computer-Aided Geometric Design (CAGD) data smoothing is based on mathematical descriptions of objects relying on a special kind of parametric function known as a parametric spline. Splines are mathematical methods that generate smooth objects defined by a series of given points. They are very popular in the area of Computer Aided Design for modelling complex figures that are defined by an arbitrary topology of points. Splines are part of the syllabi of an undergraduate University level course in Computer Graphics involving specialized mathematical knowledge. These mathematics concepts are usually presented to students in an abstract way who usually find it hard to link them together. An interactive application that generates Bezier and B-spline curves was developed, and it is used as an educational tool to introduce important concepts and algorithms of spline methods to students. Student data was collected prior and after using this teaching tool. This paper presents results from carrying out a statistical hypothesis test which shows the relationship of using the application with the students' performance.