Do you know of any third-party math-friendly testing software?

Question

At a previous institution, we used moodle for our learning management system, which has a fairly useful tool for creating quizzes that make it more difficult for the student to cheat. In particular, you are able to use TeX code, as well as input "wildcards" so that you can add parameters to problems, and most importantly, you can put these wildcards within the TeX code itself.

• For example, I could type into moodle "Solve for $x$: $[k]x + 1 = 2$." Here, the parameter would be $k$, I can decide on a range values of $k$ to consider, and moodle would give each student this problem with a random value of $k$ from my range. The student would simply see: "Solve for $x$: $3x + 1 = 2$.", where $3$ was one of the values of $k$ in my range.

However, at my current institution, we use Blackboard, which allows use of TeX code and parameters, but doesn't allow you to use these parameters inside the TeX code (as far as I know).

Are you aware of any third-party software besides moodle that accomplishes all of these things:

1. Understands TeX code,
2. Allows the use of parameters in some way to randomize numbers for each student,
3. Allows of these parameters within the TeX code?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I'll reiterate my recommendation of MyOpenMath. To your points:

1. It understands TeX (a simplified version, using ` math ` instead of \$ math \$)
2. It sllows the use of parameters in some way to randomize numbers for each student
3. It allows these parameters within the TeX code.
4. It can be integrated into Blackboard (that's how I've been using it) using an LTI link. (video)

Here are some problems I wrote, each with two randomized versions I got by clicking "New Version":

Problem #1. [Same problem coding, initiated by random "seed" numbers. This problem took 6 lines of code to write, and you can get pretty specific with how you want students to enter their answers. I left it totally open to accept decimals, fractions or expressions, provided they are equivalent to the correct answer.]

Problem #2. [Again, same problem coding, initiated by random "seed" numbers. Note that you can randomize function names and randomly order the presentation of the problem.]

Problem #3. [Same problem coding, initiated by random "seed" numbers. For the answers involving expressions, you can enter any algebraic expression equivalent to the correct answer (e.g. x(3x-1/x) or 3x^2-1+sin(0). It has built-in graphing capabilities that can accept random elements. Again, you can specify how the answer must look, such as being factored, etc. This particular problem was "scaffolded" so a student must get the first part correct before moving on to the next part. Each part can have hints, etc.]

The math is almost TeX, just with slightly simplified commands (MOM was coded in php). For example, one can type `frac(3)(4)` or just `3/4` to get $\frac{3}{4}$. Or for integrals, you can type `int_5^(3x) g(t)dt` to get $\int_5^{3x} g(t)dt$. [Notice the use of ( ) instead of { }, as well as the lack of \ characters.]

Anyway -- I hope this helps. This program has really saved me these past few terms.

[Edit] In case you wanted to see the code for that first problem:

\$anstypes="calculated,numfunc"

\$answerformat[1]="equation"

\$a,\$b,\$c,\$d=nonzerodiffrands(-6,6,4)

\$func=makexxpretty("\$a x + \$b")

\$answer[0]=\$a*\$c + \$b

\$answer[1]="x=(\$d-\$b)/\$a"

Then the problem text looks like:

Suppose `f(x)=\$func`.

Evaluate `f(\$c)`.

Answer: \$answerbox[0]

Solve the equation `f(x) = \$d`. [Remember to give your answer in the form "x = ..."]

Answer: \$answerbox[1]

Answer 2

I'm the developer of the STACK online assessment system, which is a question type for the Moodle quiz. STACK is used by about 1000 sites including some very large institutions including the University of Edinburgh, The Open University, Aalto, Loughborough University and the University of Birmingham.

https://stack-demo.maths.ed.ac.uk/demo/

To answer your questions directly,

1. STACK uses MathJAX to embed LaTeX mathematics environments (not document structure)
2. STACK has full CAS support using Maxima which allows the use of parameters throughout the question.
3. STACK allows these parameters within the TeX code.
4. STACK is a question type for the Moodle quiz, and at the University of Edinburgh we integrate this into Blackboard using an LTI link.

We published some comprehensive case studies (with example questions) last year: https://stack-demo.maths.ed.ac.uk/demo/question/type/stack/doc/content/2019-cate-case-studies.pdf

If you would like to talk directly, drop me an email at Edinburgh.

Chris Sangwin

Answer 3

You might want to look at WeBWorK. It's open-source, supported by the MAA and NSF.

I don't know if it has BlackBoard integration though.

Answer 4

• MATHPORTAL : https://www.mathportal.org/

This site provides free math calculators,formulas and lessons.On this site you could calculate many complex equations including Quadratic Equations, Polynomials etc. You can select a calculator that's most convenient for you. It provides list of multiple calculators :

1. Standard Deviation Calculator
2. Quadratic equation solver
3. Right triangle calculator
4. Sine and Cosine Law Calculator
5. Square Calculator and many more....

It's really helpful tool for calculations. Following images show the options you'll have on the homepages :

You can explore many things. I suggest to try this for calculations once.