Changing the format of testing and learning with Mathematica

Nikolay Brodskiy, University of Tennessee

Join the Conversation #WolframTechConf

Class structure overview

Course: Multivariable Calculus
Class meets in a computer lab

({{Course building blocks, System used}, {Course Management System
Class roster
Authentication
Class announcements, Google Classroom}, {Homework,Tests
Assignments randomized for each student,
Answers graded automatically
Gradebook updated daily, WebAssign}, {Videos, YouTube}, {Mathematica  files (lecture notes), Google website}, {Mathematica  files(students' work), Google Drive}, {Forum for out-of-class communication, Google Groups}})

Testing environment

Significance of tests: controlled environment
Main constraint: scheduled class time

During tests

Students solve problems in a Mathematica file

Students submit the Mathematica file for evaluation

Current issue: academic integrity

Future: rethink the submission

If tested in class:
	Mathematica file, 
	video recording of screen
If tested elsewhere (maybe at home):
	Mathematica file,
	video recording of screen (with sound), 
	video recording of themselves

Academic integrity
video recordings are used for verifying academic integrity

Testing in online class (Summer 2015)

Testing tasks revisited

Tasks 
students perform a sequence of tasks, including:
	problem solving
	explaining steps
	providing examples
	drawing, plotting
	giving a definition

Point of view
Algebra (symbolic manipulation)
Geometry
Physics
Programming (computation)

Expression types
words
picture
formula
program

Dimension function
1-1
1-2
1-3
2-1
3-1
2-2

Complexity
generalization
simplification

Simplification is not always easy!

Deeper testing encourages better learning

Tests will capture more than just the ability to solve given problems.

More activities during semester become relevant to the tests.

More data can be captured about students’ performance. Therefore the instructor can be better informed about students’ learning during semester.