This document describes revisions made to a math module for student technology teachers at the University of Glasgow. The module was rebuilt in Moodle to address low student motivation and obsolete software. Formative and summative assessments were rewritten in the QTI standard to provide randomized questions. Additional changes included topic forums for discussion, topic wikis for student contributions, and a group project relating math to teaching. Further changes aimed to increase motivation through a "Quirky Math" resource and use of the Mahara e-portfolio tool.

1. Broadening the scope of a Maths
module for student Technology
teachers
Sue Milne, Sarah Honeychurch & Niall Barr
University of Glasgow
sue.milne@glasgow.ac.uk
sarah.honeychurch@glasgow.ac.uk
niall.barr@glasgow.ac.uk

2. Maths Module
• For student Technology teachers
• Varied Maths background
• Used CALMAT software for 15 years
• Revision of Scottish Higher, sufficient for
course

3. Why rebuild this module? 1
• 10 topic tests
• Attendance mandatory until tests competed
• Race to finish!

4. Why rebuild this module? 2
Low motivation:
• Done this already...
• Relevance to teaching?
• Relevance to Technology?
• Relevance to teaching Technology?

5. Why rebuild this module? 3
Technology!
• CALMAT software is server based
• CALMAT now obsolescent/obsolete
– Only runs on old Windows machines
– Doesn’t run on phones, etc.
– Not available off-campus
• Can’t use it via Moodle
• Awkward administration

6. Stage 1 - Ensuring access
• Moodle 2 course
– News forum
– Course info,...
• Topic format
– Online resources linked from Moodle
– Learning resources uploaded
• ...but what about assessment?
• CALMAT has
– Mathematical input
– Randomised maths expressions
– Multi-part questions with follow-on marking
• Can we replicate that?

7. Stage 1 – Sustainable Assessment
Questions and tests rewritten
• Sustainable format QTI 2.1
• External Tools using LTI
• Formative assessment
– Single randomised questions
– Randomised Mock Tests
• Summative assessment
– Topic Tests with random parameters
• Results in gradebook – easy access for everyone

8. QTI in Moodle 2 – Course Page
The green jigsaw icons are “External Tool” links to randomised questions and tests

9. QTI in Moodle 2 – Question
Note “Reinitialise” button - new question with different parameters

10. QTI in Moodle 2 – Maths Input

11. QTI in Moodle 2 – Question with Solution

12. QTI in Moodle 2 – Multi-Input

13. Test: Algebra 1
This test is the one used in the Maths T1 topic Algebra 1. It is also in the
demo course.

14. Test feedback & review
These are the two parts of the feedback and review page; the scores for the
questions are displayed and the candidate may return to see the questions
and their input.

15. Stage 2 – Motivation 1
Topics forum
• Intention:
– Discuss the hard bits
– Notify about bugs in questions (and the fixes)
• Reality:
– Bug log!
– “New features” messages

16. Stage 2 – Motivation 2
Topics Wiki
• Intention:
– Contribute ideas
– Alternative explanations
– Examples in context

17. Stage 2 – Motivation 2
Topics Wiki
• Reality – year 1:
– ...blank page effect!
• Reality – year 2:
– Topics “seeded”
– Groups assigned to topics
– Worthwhile contributions!

18. Wiki Contributions 1
Fractions –
alternative
explanation of
addition and
subtraction

19. Wiki Contributions 2
Powers -
using links
to external
materials

20. Wiki Contributions 3
Pythagoras – recognising background and applications

21. Project
4 groups of 6 students
Relate Maths to
• Other course modules
• Teaching

22. Project Outputs
• Presentation
• Resources –
– Shared with rest
of class via
Moodle forum
– For classroom
use, out in schools

23. Stage 2 – Motivation 3
“Quirky Maths”
• Links to sites exploring aspects of Maths
– Related to design
– Humorous
– Unexpected applications
(Jim Connor)

24. Mahara
Introduced at the start, linked within Moodle...
...used as wrap up at the end

25. Assessment Tool Links...
• QTIWorks – online demo at
https://www2.ph.ed.ac.uk/qtiworks/
• QTI Support Site (examples, tools, resources...)
http://qti-support.gla.ac.uk
Contacts...
 Niall Barr (Learning & Teaching Unit) niall.barr@glasgow.ac.uk
 Sue Milne (User/Support) sue.milne@e-learning-services.org.uk or
sue.milne@glasgow.ac.uk
 David McKain (QTIWorks Developer) david.mckain@ed.ac.uk