Providing an active learning environment for introducing linear programming

Literature on teaching and learning methods reports strong evidence of the effectiveness of using active learning techniques. This paper presents the GLP-Tool, an example of an active learning technical tool which enables an active learning environment to explore the fundamental concepts of Linear Programming (LP). The GLP-Tool is designed to solve user-defined LP problems with two variables, up to a didactical limit of five constraints (plus the non-negativity constraints). Implemented using the computer algebra system Mathematica, this interactive tool allows the user to dynamically explore different objective functions and sets of constraints. All the GLP-Tool functionalities are represented graphically and updated in real time. These interactive, dynamic, and graphical features make the GLP-Tool a powerful tool for teaching and learning LP, both in undergraduate and high school courses. The GLP-Tool is already freely available online at Sapientia—the repository of the “Universidade do Algarve” (University of the Algarve) and at one of the authors’ ResearchGate web page.