The presentation discusses the inclusion of math formulae in D2L for various science and engineering courses, emphasizing efficient and student-friendly methods. It explores three primary methods for inserting equations: the built-in equation editor, LaTeX, and MathML, providing practical tips and resources for each. Key points include overcoming Java dependency issues in D2L, converting Word equations to MathML, and using online tools for creating and embedding equations.

1. D2L and math formulae: Making
friends.
Kirthi Premadasa
Associate Professor in Mathematics
University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County
Presentation at the Ignite Conference 2014
kirthi.premadasa@uwc.edu

2. Why ?
 Almost any instructor in an area related to math,
engineering, physics, chemistry, statistics, earth
science, biology, may need at some point include
math formulae in to D2L
 The trick is to find the most time efficient and
“student friendly” way to do this.
 We will, during this presentation explore some
options.

3. Three ways of inserting Equations in
D2L
 Using the build in equation editor
 Using LaTeX
 Using MathML

4. How to use the built in D2L equation
editor
 Dependency on
Java has been
traditionally a
problems with
students not
seeing
equations.
However D2L
version 10.3 is
not dependent on
Java. Good !
(From
learn.wisc.edu)
See
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQLiKm4i
Mq4 for a demo.

5. LaTeX
 LaTeX is a scientific word processing format.
Instructors who are familiar with (recent math
graduates) find it very easy but not necessarily
students.
For example, the LaTeX code for the formula 푥푛
푛!
is
[sum frac{x^n}{n!}]
However students can find a generator at
http://www.codecogs.com/latex/eqneditor.php

6. How to include LaTeX in D2L

7. How to include LaTeX equation in
D2L continued ….

8. How to convert complete MS Word
docx files to LaTeX?
 Can use the free software docx2tex
See the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqmh0TKwNpA

9. MathML
 The Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) is
the standard for including equations on the web
 From the “Math Activity Statement” of the W3C
Math Working Group:
 “Designed as an XML application, MathML provides
two sets of tags, one for the visual presentation of
mathematics and the other associated with the
meaning behind equations.”

10. How to convert a Word 2007/Word
2013 equation to MathML
 First make sure
that under
“options” in the
word equation
tool you have
“copy MathML
to the clipboard
as plaintext”
ticked. This is a
one time thing.

11. How to convert a Word 2007/Word
2013 equation to MathML (contd)
 Next type and copy the word equation and insert
it to the D2L textbox as a MathML equation

12. How to convert a Word 2007/Word
2013 equation to MathML (contd)
Important: DO NOT hit “insert” at this point:

13. How to convert a Word 2007/Word
2013 equation to MathML (contd)…
 Remove the “mml:” from the beginning and end of
tag before inserting. After you do this it should
start with<mth xmlns…. And end with </math>

14. How to “draw” equation in to
MathML/LaTeX
 The tool
http://webdemo.m
yscript.com/#/de
mo/equation will
let you input
equations by
mouse/stylus and
convert to
MathML/LaTeX

15. The easiest “cheat” way to include an
equation as a graphic.
 Step 1 : Create the equation and text in MS
word 2007/2013 and copy whole selection to
clipboard
 Go to the “home ribbon” and select “paste
special”
 Select paste as “picture”
 Now open the text+equations as one image from
D2L text tool
 Will need to image smaller before uploading to
D2L

16. Thank You !