A graphical software environment is to be developed for use as a teaching tool in an introductory kinematics classroom, allowing the instructor to do everything on the projected graphics-screen that is currently done on the blackboard for planar mechanisms. Unlike the backboard, the software will have the intelligence to interpret the drawings in a kinematic sense, so that the drawing of the linkage will behave as a linkage. All constructions based on a linkage will be directly associated with the linkage, even as the linkage moves to its next position. Simulation of motion is a valuable component of this tool; the more far-reaching aspect is the ability to demonstrate every kinematic principle for any plane linkage at any time. The kinematically intelligent blackboard will provide an environment in which all topics and principles can be integrated, a departure from the typical modular approach to teaching kinematics. A unique sketching method has been developed which allows practically any planar linkage to be intuitively sketched on the graphic screen in a matter of seconds. Eventually, the software environment will be integrated with audio and visual input to allow the kinematic sketch to overlay images of actual hardware, such as from a videotape.
