Aaron Childs

Mathematics and Statistics

Course

Math 1A03/1ZA3 | Calculus for Science I / Engineering Mathematics I | 2000 students

Their story

One of the challenges we encountered was administering online mathematical tests while maintaining academic integrity.

I developed an online system (called childsmath) which we adapted this year for online assessment. We incorporated randomization into these assessments so that each students would get a different version of the questions. Sometimes the randomization would involve different numbers within the question, and other times the questions themselves would be different.

A surprising outcome was the volume and breadth of questions asked in the Q&A during live lectures. I used Microsoft Teams Live Events, which gave students the option to ask questions anonymously during the live lectures. Most questions related to the lecture content, but others were just fun and playful questions that were sometimes quite humorous and which the students enjoyed hearing me read and respond to. It even allowed for immediate and anonymous feedback which I was able to use to shape the lectures themselves.

Helpful support: I found collaboration with colleagues to be most helpful in order to navigate the challenges associated with teaching mathematics in an online environment. TAs were also very helpful.

License

Good News Stories in Online Teaching in the Faculty of Science Copyright © by A collaborative initiative between MacPherson Institute & Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.

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