[Athen] Online Math Test

[Jeffrey Dell]

Thanks Hadi
If Blackboard would support MathML for this application I may still
not use it.  MathPlayer still only works in IE on Windows computers.
On campus I can somewhat control the environment but with the
available FREE screen readers in Mac OS and Linux I do't want to limit
the solutions to only use in Internet explorer.  Browsers not
displaying MathML equally is the reason that MapleSoft gave me for not
using MathML in their testing system to display info.
In our install of Blackboard we have WebEQ for creating equations.
This is a Design Science product.  I can imagine that the program can
create MathML for display in the browser.  I know that you can import
MathML to blackboard for WebEQ to generate equations.  Mostly what is
missing is the coding at the top of the page that you need to use to
declare that MathML will be used on a webpage.  There is a specific
DOCTYPE element that you need to use.  That is why you can't choose to
use HTML and copy and paste the code.  I would like to see them
support MathML as output in the future.
Thanks
Jeff

On 3/18/09, Hadi Rangin <hadi at illinois.edu> wrote:

> Hi Jeff,

>

> I passed your question to our Blackboard collaboration partners and here's

> their response:

>

> Hi Hadi,

> This question (or similar) came to us at Bb last week as well. This is not

> something that we are extremely familiar with *yet* so we are doing some

> investigation

> before providing guidance. MathML is indeed supported all over, but I'm not

> sure yet how LaTex plays into that. We've heard that the MathML in the

> classic

> product at least is not the friendliest with screen-readers, so that's where

> we are looking first.

>

> We'll be sure to update you with what we learn and will probably have some

> questions for you and the design group when we get a chance to dive deeper.

>

> Thanks for letting us know!

>

> Stephanie

>

>

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: "Jeffrey Dell" <jeffreydell99 at gmail.com>

> To: <athen at athenpro.org>

> Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 9:21 AM

> Subject: [Athen] Online Math Test

>

>

>> Hello

>> I'm looking for a little feedback on a plan for online assessment

>> testing for mathmatics.  The plan that I am workin on is to create a

>> test in blackboard that uses image files to represent the math

>> expressions and provides LaTex code in an alt tag for describing those

>> expressions.  It for the most part would be a standard blackboard test

>> with question catagories that will make questions somewhat random and

>> randomized order for answers.  We will be making this available as an

>> alternative to MapleSoft assessments which are not accessible to

>> screen readers.  I am trying to mathc the availability of the

>> MapleSoft product because our students can now take the assessment

>> test at home.

>> What I am looking for feedback on is the use of LaTex.  We use MathML

>> for tests and alt text and this will be my first use of LaTex.  I have

>> created a tutorial that will explain the code for LaTex for students

>> that this may be their first experience with the code.  Do any of you

>> have tips on best bractices that you have gotten through your

>> experiences?  I find MathML easier to understand but unfortunately in

>> Blackboard it is not an option that works in the Assessments.

>> Thanks

>> Jeff

>>

>> Jeffrey Dell

>> Assistive Technology Specialist

>> Office of Disability Services

>> Cleveland State University

>> Phone: 216-875-9938

>> E-mail: j.dell at csuohio.edu

>>

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>

>

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