Better than Blackboard: teaching mathematics to human students by a human professor
“Better than Blackboard” is a series of articles being published between 2023 and 2026 in Nieuw Archief voor Wiskunde, the quarterly magazine of the Royal Dutch Mathematical Society. In these articles, I talk about mathematics education in the same way we talk about mathematics: stating definitions, challenging assumptions, and being critical of our intuition. I…
Read MoreWhat Learning Analytics Can Teach Us About Behavioral Engagement in Mathematics?
Every mathematics teacher who uses online practice platforms has likely experienced the same pattern: a course begins with enthusiasm, students actively solve exercises, deadlines are respected, and participation appears strong. Gradually, however, some students begin to disengage. They submit fewer exercises, postpone practice, or stop participating altogether. The challenge is not only identifying whether students…
Read MoreDesign principles for “final answer” linear algebra assessment
The linear algebra exams at the University of Twente typically have at least 30% of the points allocated to final answer questions. With no points allocated to a process, but only to the final answer, students often complain that these questions are unfair. If the questions are ones where a careless error might result in…
Read MoreFinal Answer Assessment in Linear Algebra: Design Principles
This study examines the implementation of digital short answer testing in calculus and linear algebra for service mathematics courses. The research compares short answer grading with ‘hypothetical grading’ based on fully worked solutions to assess the validity of digital assessment methods in these mathematical disciplines.
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