JISC

Summary

Illustrating theoretical concepts (and data) graphically is an important part of teaching quantitative concepts as found in Mathematics and, in particular, in Statistics. Many learners prefer an illustration to more formal explanations, especially when first encountering a new topic. However neither the IMS Question & Test Interoperability (QTI) specification nor the quiz engines of most current VLEs allow for such highly interactive content.

The main focus of the project was to create a framework for highly interactive graphics-based features to be used in quiz engines of VLEs The interactive question consists of a figure, parts of which can be modified by the learner according to a given instruction.

The project provided a generic XML schema for describing the feature and a reference implementation in Javascript.

Project Outputs

The project outputs are

Concepts:

• XML schema for describing the interactive feature (plot, interaction, and assessment).

Tools:

• An extendible reference implementation  in Javascript which can be used to render the feature and assess the learner's answer.
• Integration of the features into Moodle (not yet completed)
• Packaging of the reference implementation as a Wookie widget (not yet completed)

Examples:

• A small library of documented example features which can be used in the teaching of introductory undergraduate courses in Mathematics and Statistics.