"Area" selection for solving graphically modelled maths problems using Moodle/STACK/JSXGraph

Leif Bremer and Karin Landenfeld

Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Karin.Landenfeld@haw-hamburg.de

Keywords: Digital exercises, digital assessment, mathematics, STACK

Abstract

Digital exercises enable students to practise the skills learnt in lectures and demonstrate their mastery in appropriate digital examinations at the end of the semester. In addition to knowledge-based questions and calculation tasks, exercises that test conceptual understanding – particularly interrelationships – are an important component of such assessments. Interrelationships and concepts can be learnt very effectively through the use of graphical representations.

In our presentation, we explain how JSXGraph can be integrated into STACK exercises to illustrate the relationship between mathematical expressions and graphical visualizations. Students can use interactions within the graph to test, practise and understand their conceptual grasp of mathematical relationships.

We focus on JSXGraph/STACK exercises that can be solved by selecting regions in the two-dimensional coordinate system that corresponds to given assignment. The clickable regions are modelled and visualised in JSXGraph in accordance with the requirements of the respective exercise. Students’ inputs in the graphics are evaluated in STACK and feedback is given using the STACK potential response tree.

We present function code developed for creating, selecting and evaluating these regions, and discuss their implementation. Finally, we demonstrate some exercises on various mathematical topics and explain how they were implemented.