MoodleDocs - User contributions [en]

MathType

2012-08-30T21:25:00Z

Afwings: Updated the information for using MathType on the Mac.

==What is MathType?==
[http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/ MathType] is a software application created by Design Science, that allows the creation of mathematical notation for word processors (Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, OpenOffice, Google Docs), web pages, desktop publishing, and presentations (PowerPoint, Keynote), as well as for TeX, [[LaTeX]], and MathML documents.

MathType works with Moodle to create equations for your course. You can use MathType's built-in [[TeX notation filter|Moodle: TeX filter]] translator to add mathematical notation directly into Moodle Assignment, Chat, Feedback, Forum, Glossary, Lesson, Quiz, and Wiki modules. Note that you can also add MathType equations to Moodle modules as GIF images. Refer to MathType Help for guidance with images.

==Add a MathType equation to Moodle==
If you have MathType equations in existing documents or presentations and you'd like to use these in a Moodle course, or if you want to create a new equation to use in Moodle, follow these steps. This will work in the Moodle modules mentioned above. There are more detailed instructions for [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments|Quiz]] and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|Chat]] modules later in this article; instructions for other modules are similar, and the steps in this section should be all you need.

<ol><li>Open the equation in MathType, or create it if it doesn't already exist.</li>
<li>In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Cut and Copy Preferences'''.</li>
<li>From the '''Equation for application or website group''', choose the '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator and click OK. You don't need to perform this step for every equation. Once you choose the appropriate translator, future equations will be processed using this translator until you choose a different one.
[[image:choosing_tex_filter.png|center|Choose the Moodle TeX filter from the Cut and Copy Preferences dialog.]]
''Note:'' If you're using a Macintosh, procedures will be the same, but the dialog will look slightly different from the one shown here.</li>
<li>Select the equation that you created or opened in step 1. If you want to use only part of the equation in the MathType editing area, select only the part you want.</li>
<li>Copy the equation or equation fragment. If there were no errors during translation, MathType will display a Status Bar message similar to this one:
[[image:status_bar.png|center|After translation, MathType's Status Bar will display a message.]]
In rare cases, you may get an error message to the effect that there is "No translation available for [name of symbol]". The most common instance of this error is after using one of the expanding integral templates, which you can create in MathType by depressing the Shift key as you choose any integral from the '''Integral templates''' palette. If you have used expanding integral templates, you'll need to replace them with non-expanding integrals before you translate the equations to LaTeX.
[[image:translation_error.png|center|In rare cases, you may experience a translation error.]]</li>
<li>Click in the Moodle Resource or Activity where you want the equation to appear, then paste the equation. '''''Note:''''' If you're using the HTML Editor, you may prefer to click on the "Toggle HTML Source" icon [[image:toggle_html_source.gif]], and paste the equation into the HTML source, but that's not required.
[[image:Text_mode.png|center|You can use text mode if you want, but you don't have to.]]
The "built-up" equation won't appear until you click the "Save changes" button, the "Post to forum" button, or other appropriate button in Moodle.
[[image:Post.png|center|The forum post after the equation is rendered by Moodle's TeX filter.]]</li></ol>

===Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments===
In this example and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|the next]], we'll show how to use MathType with two of the most popular Moodle modules -- quiz and chat. With MathType and the Moodle TeX filter, you can add mathematical expressions both to an assessment question and to its answer choices. To show this capability, we'll write a quiz question for a multiple choice quiz. We assume you're familiar with the quiz module, so the steps here will not be complete instructions in using this module.

#Let's say we want to write a quiz about adding rational expressions, and in one of our questions we want the students to identify the least common denominator (LCD) of two expressions. Write "Find the LCD: " in the question editor:
#:[[image:Question1.gif|center|Begin typing the question.]]
#In MathType, write the expressions we want to include in the question. For our example, we'll use these two rational expressions: [[image:Fraction1.gif]] and [[image:Fraction2.gif]]. Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]]. Copy the expressions from MathType and paste into the question editor:
#:[[image:Question2.gif|center|Insert the fractions into the question.]]
#We'll use these 4 answer choices: ''x'' – 2, ''x'' + 2, ''x''² – 4, and 1. You can use MathType and the TeX filter for these, or not -- your choice. We'll use MathType for the first 3, and for the last one we'll just type in the number "1". Copy each answer choice from MathType and paste it into the respective space for the answer choice:
#:[[image:Choice-3.gif|center|Paste the equation you copied from MathType into the answer choice entry box.]]
#For the correct answer choice, choose Grade 100% from the dropdown box, and click Save at the bottom of the page.
#This is how our question looks in the preview:
#:[[image:Question-3.gif|center|Question as it looks to the student.]]

===Example: Add equations to Moodle chat===
You can use MathType to add equations to Moodle chats. Here's how:
#Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]].
#Once you're in the chat session, you can create mathematical expressions in MathType, then copy them and paste into the chat text entry window. The math will not convert to a "built-up" equation until you press Enter:
#:[[image:Tex_in_chat.gif|center|Paste into the chat window what you copied from MathType.]]
#It's not necessary for other chat participants to have MathType in order to be able to see your equations. They will be visible to everyone in the chat session.
#If you need to use one of the chat equations again, simply drag it from the chat session and drop it into MathType (or use copy & paste), as described in [[#Copy_equations_from_Moodle_and_paste_into_MathType|the next section]]. Then you can edit it and paste the modified equation back in a new reply. You can see an example of this in the first 11:57 entry in this chat:
#:[[image:Math_chat.gif|center|An example of a chat using equations rendered by the Moodle TeX Filter.]]

==Copy equations from Moodle and paste into MathType==
If you have an equation in your own course, or if you find an equation in another course that you want to use in a document or presentation outside of Moodle, it's possible to do that by using MathType. Not all filters have this capability though, and not all versions of MathType. If you try these steps and it doesn't work, it's possible that the equation was created with a Moodle filter other than the TeX filter.
<ol><li>One way to tell if an equation can be copied into MathType is to hover the mouse pointer over an equation.
[[image:Alttext.png|center|Some equation images have alt text associated with them.]]
If you get this type of pop-up when you hover the mouse pointer over the equation, the following steps will allow you to use the equation in MathType, just as you would any MathType equation. If you don't see the pop-up though, it doesn't mean the equation won't work. It might mean simply that your browser isn't displaying the pop-up. It's still worth a try to see if these steps will work.</li>
<li>Select the equation by dragging the mouse pointer across it:
[[image:Selection.png|center|When the equation is selected, it will appear in reverse color.]]</li>
<li>Copy the equation. '''Don't''' use the right-click (Macintosh: Ctrl+click) contextual menu to choose the "Copy Image" or "Copy Picture" command, because doing so won't work. '''If''' the contextual menu for your browser has a "Copy" command, you can use this command if you want.</li>
<li>Open MathType and paste the equation into the MathType editing area. The equation is now a MathType equation that you can edit and use just like any other MathType equation.</li></ol>
==Feedback==
If you have experience using MathType with Moodle please send questions, comments and suggestions directly to Design Science at [mailto:interop@dessci.com interop@dessci.com] or [http://www.twitter.com/mathtype @MathType] on Twitter.

==See Also==
* [[Using_TeX_Notation|Using TeX Notation]]

[[Category:Mathematics]]

MathType

2010-09-17T14:43:48Z

Afwings: Clarified translator usage in MathType for Macintosh.

==What is MathType?==
[http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/ MathType] is a software application created by Design Science, that allows the creation of mathematical notation for word processors (Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, OpenOffice, Google Docs), web pages, desktop publishing, and presentations (PowerPoint, Keynote), as well as for TeX, [[LaTeX]], and MathML documents.

MathType works with Moodle to create equations for your course. You can use MathType's built-in [[TeX notation filter|Moodle: TeX filter]] translator to add mathematical notation directly into Moodle Assignment, Chat, Feedback, Forum, Glossary, Lesson, Quiz, and Wiki modules. Note that you can also add MathType equations to Moodle modules as GIF images. Refer to MathType Help for guidance with images.

==Add a MathType equation to Moodle==
If you have MathType equations in existing documents or presentations and you'd like to use these in a Moodle course, or if you want to create a new equation to use in Moodle, follow these steps. This will work in the Moodle modules mentioned above. There are more detailed instructions for [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments|Quiz]] and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|Chat]] modules later in this article; instructions for other modules are similar, and the steps in this section should be all you need.

<ol><li>Open the equation in MathType, or create it if it doesn't already exist.</li>
<li>In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Cut and Copy Preferences'''.</li>
<li>From the '''Equation for application or website group''', choose the '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator and click OK. You don't need to perform this step for every equation. Once you choose the appropriate translator, future equations will be processed using this translator until you choose a different one.
[[image:choosing_tex_filter.png|center|Choose the Moodle TeX filter from the Cut and Copy Preferences dialog.]]
''Note:'' If you're using a Macintosh, procedures will be similar, but not exactly the same as described here. In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Translators''', then choose the '''LaTeX 2.09''' translator. Results won't be the same as they are with the Windows version's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator, but in most cases it will be obvious what to do -- such as deleting things like \''mathop'' if it shows up in the output.</li>
<li>Select the equation that you created or opened in step 1. If you want to use only part of the equation in the MathType editing area, select only the part you want.</li>
<li>Copy the equation or equation fragment. If there were no errors during translation, MathType will display a Status Bar message similar to this one:
[[image:status_bar.png|center|After translation, MathType's Status Bar will display a message.]]
In rare cases, you may get an error message to the effect that there is "No translation available for [name of symbol]". The most common instance of this error is after using one of the expanding integral templates, which you can create in MathType by depressing the Shift key as you choose any integral from the '''Integral templates''' palette. If you have used expanding integral templates, you'll need to replace them with non-expanding integrals before you translate the equations to LaTeX.
[[image:translation_error.png|center|In rare cases, you may experience a translation error.]]</li>
<li>Click in the Moodle Resource or Activity where you want the equation to appear, then paste the equation. '''''Note:''''' If you're using the HTML Editor, you may prefer to click on the "Toggle HTML Source" icon [[image:toggle_html_source.gif]], and paste the equation into the HTML source, but that's not required.
[[image:Text_mode.png|center|You can use text mode if you want, but you don't have to.]]
The "built-up" equation won't appear until you click the "Save changes" button, the "Post to forum" button, or other appropriate button in Moodle.
[[image:Post.png|center|The forum post after the equation is rendered by Moodle's TeX filter.]]</li></ol>

===Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments===
In this example and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|the next]], we'll show how to use MathType with two of the most popular Moodle modules -- quiz and chat. With MathType and the Moodle TeX filter, you can add mathematical expressions both to an assessment question and to its answer choices. To show this capability, we'll write a quiz question for a multiple choice quiz. We assume you're familiar with the quiz module, so the steps here will not be complete instructions in using this module.

#Let's say we want to write a quiz about adding rational expressions, and in one of our questions we want the students to identify the least common denominator (LCD) of two expressions. Write "Find the LCD: " in the question editor:
#:[[image:Question1.gif|center|Begin typing the question.]]
#In MathType, write the expressions we want to include in the question. For our example, we'll use these two rational expressions: [[image:Fraction1.gif]] and [[image:Fraction2.gif]]. Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]]. Copy the expressions from MathType and paste into the question editor:
#:[[image:Question2.gif|center|Insert the fractions into the question.]]
#We'll use these 4 answer choices: ''x'' – 2, ''x'' + 2, ''x''² – 4, and 1. You can use MathType and the TeX filter for these, or not -- your choice. We'll use MathType for the first 3, and for the last one we'll just type in the number "1". Copy each answer choice from MathType and paste it into the respective space for the answer choice:
#:[[image:Choice-3.gif|center|Paste the equation you copied from MathType into the answer choice entry box.]]
#For the correct answer choice, choose Grade 100% from the dropdown box, and click Save at the bottom of the page.
#This is how our question looks in the preview:
#:[[image:Question-3.gif|center|Question as it looks to the student.]]

===Example: Add equations to Moodle chat===
You can use MathType to add equations to Moodle chats. Here's how:
#Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]].
#Once you're in the chat session, you can create mathematical expressions in MathType, then copy them and paste into the chat text entry window. The math will not convert to a "built-up" equation until you press Enter:
#:[[image:Tex_in_chat.gif|center|Paste into the chat window what you copied from MathType.]]
#It's not necessary for other chat participants to have MathType in order to be able to see your equations. They will be visible to everyone in the chat session.
#If you need to use one of the chat equations again, simply drag it from the chat session and drop it into MathType (or use copy & paste), as described in [[#Copy_equations_from_Moodle_and_paste_into_MathType|the next section]]. Then you can edit it and paste the modified equation back in a new reply. You can see an example of this in the first 11:57 entry in this chat:
#:[[image:Math_chat.gif|center|An example of a chat using equations rendered by the Moodle TeX Filter.]]

==Copy equations from Moodle and paste into MathType==
If you have an equation in your own course, or if you find an equation in another course that you want to use in a document or presentation outside of Moodle, it's possible to do that by using MathType. Not all filters have this capability though, and not all versions of MathType. If you try these steps and it doesn't work, it's possible that the equation was created with a Moodle filter other than the TeX filter.
<ol><li>One way to tell if an equation can be copied into MathType is to hover the mouse pointer over an equation.
[[image:Alttext.png|center|Some equation images have alt text associated with them.]]
If you get this type of pop-up when you hover the mouse pointer over the equation, the following steps will allow you to use the equation in MathType, just as you would any MathType equation. If you don't see the pop-up though, it doesn't mean the equation won't work. It might mean simply that your browser isn't displaying the pop-up. It's still worth a try to see if these steps will work.</li>
<li>Select the equation by dragging the mouse pointer across it:
[[image:Selection.png|center|When the equation is selected, it will appear in reverse color.]]</li>
<li>Copy the equation. '''Don't''' use the right-click (Macintosh: Ctrl+click) contextual menu to choose the "Copy Image" or "Copy Picture" command, because doing so won't work. '''If''' the contextual menu for your browser has a "Copy" command, you can use this command if you want.</li>
<li>Open MathType and paste the equation into the MathType editing area. The equation is now a MathType equation that you can edit and use just like any other MathType equation.</li></ol>
==Feedback==
If you have experience using MathType with Moodle please send questions, comments and suggestions directly to Design Science at [mailto:interop@dessci.com interop@dessci.com] or [http://www.twitter.com/mathtype @MathType] on Twitter.

[[Category:Mathematics]]

MathType

2010-09-16T20:10:20Z

Afwings: Changed name of translator for Mac to "Wikipedia -- Texvc".

==What is MathType?==
[http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/ MathType] is a software application created by Design Science, that allows the creation of mathematical notation for word processors (Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, OpenOffice, Google Docs), web pages, desktop publishing, and presentations (PowerPoint, Keynote), as well as for TeX, [[LaTeX]], and MathML documents.

MathType works with Moodle to create equations for your course. You can use MathType's built-in [[TeX notation filter|Moodle: TeX filter]] translator to add mathematical notation directly into Moodle Assignment, Chat, Feedback, Forum, Glossary, Lesson, Quiz, and Wiki modules. Note that you can also add MathType equations to Moodle modules as GIF images. Refer to MathType Help for guidance with images.

==Add a MathType equation to Moodle==
If you have MathType equations in existing documents or presentations and you'd like to use these in a Moodle course, or if you want to create a new equation to use in Moodle, follow these steps. This will work in the Moodle modules mentioned above. There are more detailed instructions for [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments|Quiz]] and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|Chat]] modules later in this article; instructions for other modules are similar, and the steps in this section should be all you need.

<ol><li>Open the equation in MathType, or create it if it doesn't already exist.</li>
<li>In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Cut and Copy Preferences'''.</li>
<li>From the '''Equation for application or website group''', choose the '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator and click OK. You don't need to perform this step for every equation. Once you choose the appropriate translator, future equations will be processed using this translator until you choose a different one.
[[image:choosing_tex_filter.png|center|Choose the Moodle TeX filter from the Cut and Copy Preferences dialog.]]
''Note:'' If you're using a Macintosh, procedures will be similar, but not exactly the same as described here. In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Translators''', then choose the '''Wikipedia -- Texvc''' translator.</li>
<li>Select the equation that you created or opened in step 1. If you want to use only part of the equation in the MathType editing area, select only the part you want.</li>
<li>Copy the equation or equation fragment. If there were no errors during translation, MathType will display a Status Bar message similar to this one:
[[image:status_bar.png|center|After translation, MathType's Status Bar will display a message.]]
In rare cases, you may get an error message to the effect that there is "No translation available for [name of symbol]". The most common instance of this error is after using one of the expanding integral templates, which you can create in MathType by depressing the Shift key as you choose any integral from the '''Integral templates''' palette. If you have used expanding integral templates, you'll need to replace them with non-expanding integrals before you translate the equations to LaTeX.
[[image:translation_error.png|center|In rare cases, you may experience a translation error.]]</li>
<li>Click in the Moodle Resource or Activity where you want the equation to appear, then paste the equation. '''''Note:''''' If you're using the HTML Editor, you may prefer to click on the "Toggle HTML Source" icon [[image:toggle_html_source.gif]], and paste the equation into the HTML source, but that's not required.
[[image:Text_mode.png|center|You can use text mode if you want, but you don't have to.]]
The "built-up" equation won't appear until you click the "Save changes" button, the "Post to forum" button, or other appropriate button in Moodle.
[[image:Post.png|center|The forum post after the equation is rendered by Moodle's TeX filter.]]</li></ol>

===Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments===
In this example and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|the next]], we'll show how to use MathType with two of the most popular Moodle modules -- quiz and chat. With MathType and the Moodle TeX filter, you can add mathematical expressions both to an assessment question and to its answer choices. To show this capability, we'll write a quiz question for a multiple choice quiz. We assume you're familiar with the quiz module, so the steps here will not be complete instructions in using this module.

#Let's say we want to write a quiz about adding rational expressions, and in one of our questions we want the students to identify the least common denominator (LCD) of two expressions. Write "Find the LCD: " in the question editor:
#:[[image:Question1.gif|center|Begin typing the question.]]
#In MathType, write the expressions we want to include in the question. For our example, we'll use these two rational expressions: [[image:Fraction1.gif]] and [[image:Fraction2.gif]]. Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]]. Copy the expressions from MathType and paste into the question editor:
#:[[image:Question2.gif|center|Insert the fractions into the question.]]
#We'll use these 4 answer choices: ''x'' – 2, ''x'' + 2, ''x''² – 4, and 1. You can use MathType and the TeX filter for these, or not -- your choice. We'll use MathType for the first 3, and for the last one we'll just type in the number "1". Copy each answer choice from MathType and paste it into the respective space for the answer choice:
#:[[image:Choice-3.gif|center|Paste the equation you copied from MathType into the answer choice entry box.]]
#For the correct answer choice, choose Grade 100% from the dropdown box, and click Save at the bottom of the page.
#This is how our question looks in the preview:
#:[[image:Question-3.gif|center|Question as it looks to the student.]]

===Example: Add equations to Moodle chat===
You can use MathType to add equations to Moodle chats. Here's how:
#Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]].
#Once you're in the chat session, you can create mathematical expressions in MathType, then copy them and paste into the chat text entry window. The math will not convert to a "built-up" equation until you press Enter:
#:[[image:Tex_in_chat.gif|center|Paste into the chat window what you copied from MathType.]]
#It's not necessary for other chat participants to have MathType in order to be able to see your equations. They will be visible to everyone in the chat session.
#If you need to use one of the chat equations again, simply drag it from the chat session and drop it into MathType (or use copy & paste), as described in [[#Copy_equations_from_Moodle_and_paste_into_MathType|the next section]]. Then you can edit it and paste the modified equation back in a new reply. You can see an example of this in the first 11:57 entry in this chat:
#:[[image:Math_chat.gif|center|An example of a chat using equations rendered by the Moodle TeX Filter.]]

==Copy equations from Moodle and paste into MathType==
If you have an equation in your own course, or if you find an equation in another course that you want to use in a document or presentation outside of Moodle, it's possible to do that by using MathType. Not all filters have this capability though, and not all versions of MathType. If you try these steps and it doesn't work, it's possible that the equation was created with a Moodle filter other than the TeX filter.
<ol><li>One way to tell if an equation can be copied into MathType is to hover the mouse pointer over an equation.
[[image:Alttext.png|center|Some equation images have alt text associated with them.]]
If you get this type of pop-up when you hover the mouse pointer over the equation, the following steps will allow you to use the equation in MathType, just as you would any MathType equation. If you don't see the pop-up though, it doesn't mean the equation won't work. It might mean simply that your browser isn't displaying the pop-up. It's still worth a try to see if these steps will work.</li>
<li>Select the equation by dragging the mouse pointer across it:
[[image:Selection.png|center|When the equation is selected, it will appear in reverse color.]]</li>
<li>Copy the equation. '''Don't''' use the right-click (Macintosh: Ctrl+click) contextual menu to choose the "Copy Image" or "Copy Picture" command, because doing so won't work. '''If''' the contextual menu for your browser has a "Copy" command, you can use this command if you want.</li>
<li>Open MathType and paste the equation into the MathType editing area. The equation is now a MathType equation that you can edit and use just like any other MathType equation.</li></ol>
==Feedback==
If you have experience using MathType with Moodle please send questions, comments and suggestions directly to Design Science at [mailto:interop@dessci.com interop@dessci.com] or [http://www.twitter.com/mathtype @MathType] on Twitter.

[[Category:Mathematics]]

MathType

2010-09-14T23:41:57Z

Afwings: Added 1 external link to MathType.

==What is MathType?==
[http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/ MathType] is a software application created by Design Science, that allows the creation of mathematical notation for word processors (Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, OpenOffice, Google Docs), web pages, desktop publishing, and presentations (PowerPoint, Keynote), as well as for TeX, [[LaTeX]], and MathML documents.

MathType works with Moodle to create equations for your course. You can use MathType's built-in [[TeX notation filter|Moodle: TeX filter]] translator to add mathematical notation directly into Moodle Assignment, Chat, Feedback, Forum, Glossary, Lesson, Quiz, and Wiki modules. Note that you can also add MathType equations to Moodle modules as GIF images. Refer to MathType Help for guidance with images.

==Add a MathType equation to Moodle==
If you have MathType equations in existing documents or presentations and you'd like to use these in a Moodle course, or if you want to create a new equation to use in Moodle, follow these steps. This will work in the Moodle modules mentioned above. There are more detailed instructions for [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments|Quiz]] and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|Chat]] modules later in this article; instructions for other modules are similar, and the steps in this section should be all you need.

<ol><li>Open the equation in MathType, or create it if it doesn't already exist.</li>
<li>In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Cut and Copy Preferences'''.</li>
<li>From the '''Equation for application or website group''', choose the '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator and click OK. You don't need to perform this step for every equation. Once you choose the appropriate translator, future equations will be processed using this translator until you choose a different one.
[[image:choosing_tex_filter.png|center|Choose the Moodle TeX filter from the Cut and Copy Preferences dialog.]]
''Note:'' If you're using a Macintosh, procedures will be similar, but not exactly the same as described here. In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Translators''', then choose the '''Texvc''' translator.</li>
<li>Select the equation that you created or opened in step 1. If you want to use only part of the equation in the MathType editing area, select only the part you want.</li>
<li>Copy the equation or equation fragment. If there were no errors during translation, MathType will display a Status Bar message similar to this one:
[[image:status_bar.png|center|After translation, MathType's Status Bar will display a message.]]
In rare cases, you may get an error message to the effect that there is "No translation available for [name of symbol]". The most common instance of this error is after using one of the expanding integral templates, which you can create in MathType by depressing the Shift key as you choose any integral from the '''Integral templates''' palette. If you have used expanding integral templates, you'll need to replace them with non-expanding integrals before you translate the equations to LaTeX.
[[image:translation_error.png|center|In rare cases, you may experience a translation error.]]</li>
<li>Click in the Moodle Resource or Activity where you want the equation to appear, then paste the equation. '''''Note:''''' If you're using the HTML Editor, you may prefer to click on the "Toggle HTML Source" icon [[image:toggle_html_source.gif]], and paste the equation into the HTML source, but that's not required.
[[image:Text_mode.png|center|You can use text mode if you want, but you don't have to.]]
The "built-up" equation won't appear until you click the "Save changes" button, the "Post to forum" button, or other appropriate button in Moodle.
[[image:Post.png|center|The forum post after the equation is rendered by Moodle's TeX filter.]]</li></ol>

===Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments===
In this example and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|the next]], we'll show how to use MathType with two of the most popular Moodle modules -- quiz and chat. With MathType and the Moodle TeX filter, you can add mathematical expressions both to an assessment question and to its answer choices. To show this capability, we'll write a quiz question for a multiple choice quiz. We assume you're familiar with the quiz module, so the steps here will not be complete instructions in using this module.

#Let's say we want to write a quiz about adding rational expressions, and in one of our questions we want the students to identify the least common denominator (LCD) of two expressions. Write "Find the LCD: " in the question editor:
#:[[image:Question1.gif|center|Begin typing the question.]]
#In MathType, write the expressions we want to include in the question. For our example, we'll use these two rational expressions: [[image:Fraction1.gif]] and [[image:Fraction2.gif]]. Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]]. Copy the expressions from MathType and paste into the question editor:
#:[[image:Question2.gif|center|Insert the fractions into the question.]]
#We'll use these 4 answer choices: ''x'' – 2, ''x'' + 2, ''x''² – 4, and 1. You can use MathType and the TeX filter for these, or not -- your choice. We'll use MathType for the first 3, and for the last one we'll just type in the number "1". Copy each answer choice from MathType and paste it into the respective space for the answer choice:
#:[[image:Choice-3.gif|center|Paste the equation you copied from MathType into the answer choice entry box.]]
#For the correct answer choice, choose Grade 100% from the dropdown box, and click Save at the bottom of the page.
#This is how our question looks in the preview:
#:[[image:Question-3.gif|center|Question as it looks to the student.]]

===Example: Add equations to Moodle chat===
You can use MathType to add equations to Moodle chats. Here's how:
#Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]].
#Once you're in the chat session, you can create mathematical expressions in MathType, then copy them and paste into the chat text entry window. The math will not convert to a "built-up" equation until you press Enter:
#:[[image:Tex_in_chat.gif|center|Paste into the chat window what you copied from MathType.]]
#It's not necessary for other chat participants to have MathType in order to be able to see your equations. They will be visible to everyone in the chat session.
#If you need to use one of the chat equations again, simply drag it from the chat session and drop it into MathType (or use copy & paste), as described in [[#Copy_equations_from_Moodle_and_paste_into_MathType|the next section]]. Then you can edit it and paste the modified equation back in a new reply. You can see an example of this in the first 11:57 entry in this chat:
#:[[image:Math_chat.gif|center|An example of a chat using equations rendered by the Moodle TeX Filter.]]

==Copy equations from Moodle and paste into MathType==
If you have an equation in your own course, or if you find an equation in another course that you want to use in a document or presentation outside of Moodle, it's possible to do that by using MathType. Not all filters have this capability though, and not all versions of MathType. If you try these steps and it doesn't work, it's possible that the equation was created with a Moodle filter other than the TeX filter.
<ol><li>One way to tell if an equation can be copied into MathType is to hover the mouse pointer over an equation.
[[image:Alttext.png|center|Some equation images have alt text associated with them.]]
If you get this type of pop-up when you hover the mouse pointer over the equation, the following steps will allow you to use the equation in MathType, just as you would any MathType equation. If you don't see the pop-up though, it doesn't mean the equation won't work. It might mean simply that your browser isn't displaying the pop-up. It's still worth a try to see if these steps will work.</li>
<li>Select the equation by dragging the mouse pointer across it:
[[image:Selection.png|center|When the equation is selected, it will appear in reverse color.]]</li>
<li>Copy the equation. '''Don't''' use the right-click (Macintosh: Ctrl+click) contextual menu to choose the "Copy Image" or "Copy Picture" command, because doing so won't work. '''If''' the contextual menu for your browser has a "Copy" command, you can use this command if you want.</li>
<li>Open MathType and paste the equation into the MathType editing area. The equation is now a MathType equation that you can edit and use just like any other MathType equation.</li></ol>
==Feedback==
If you have experience using MathType with Moodle please send questions, comments and suggestions directly to Design Science at [mailto:interop@dessci.com interop@dessci.com] or [http://www.twitter.com/mathtype @MathType] on Twitter.

[[Category:Mathematics]]

MathType

2010-09-14T23:38:50Z

Afwings: New page: ==What is MathType?== '''MathType''' is a software application created by Design Science, that allows the creation of mathematical notation for word processors (Microsoft Word, Apple Pages...

==What is MathType?==
'''MathType''' is a software application created by Design Science, that allows the creation of mathematical notation for word processors (Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, OpenOffice, Google Docs), web pages, desktop publishing, and presentations (PowerPoint, Keynote), as well as for TeX, [[LaTeX]], and MathML documents.

MathType works with Moodle to create equations for your course. You can use MathType's built-in [[TeX notation filter|Moodle: TeX filter]] translator to add mathematical notation directly into Moodle Assignment, Chat, Feedback, Forum, Glossary, Lesson, Quiz, and Wiki modules. Note that you can also add MathType equations to Moodle modules as GIF images. Refer to MathType Help for guidance with images.

==Add a MathType equation to Moodle==
If you have MathType equations in existing documents or presentations and you'd like to use these in a Moodle course, or if you want to create a new equation to use in Moodle, follow these steps. This will work in the Moodle modules mentioned above. There are more detailed instructions for [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments|Quiz]] and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|Chat]] modules later in this article; instructions for other modules are similar, and the steps in this section should be all you need.

<ol><li>Open the equation in MathType, or create it if it doesn't already exist.</li>
<li>In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Cut and Copy Preferences'''.</li>
<li>From the '''Equation for application or website group''', choose the '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator and click OK. You don't need to perform this step for every equation. Once you choose the appropriate translator, future equations will be processed using this translator until you choose a different one.
[[image:choosing_tex_filter.png|center|Choose the Moodle TeX filter from the Cut and Copy Preferences dialog.]]
''Note:'' If you're using a Macintosh, procedures will be similar, but not exactly the same as described here. In MathType's '''Preferences''' menu, choose '''Translators''', then choose the '''Texvc''' translator.</li>
<li>Select the equation that you created or opened in step 1. If you want to use only part of the equation in the MathType editing area, select only the part you want.</li>
<li>Copy the equation or equation fragment. If there were no errors during translation, MathType will display a Status Bar message similar to this one:
[[image:status_bar.png|center|After translation, MathType's Status Bar will display a message.]]
In rare cases, you may get an error message to the effect that there is "No translation available for [name of symbol]". The most common instance of this error is after using one of the expanding integral templates, which you can create in MathType by depressing the Shift key as you choose any integral from the '''Integral templates''' palette. If you have used expanding integral templates, you'll need to replace them with non-expanding integrals before you translate the equations to LaTeX.
[[image:translation_error.png|center|In rare cases, you may experience a translation error.]]</li>
<li>Click in the Moodle Resource or Activity where you want the equation to appear, then paste the equation. '''''Note:''''' If you're using the HTML Editor, you may prefer to click on the "Toggle HTML Source" icon [[image:toggle_html_source.gif]], and paste the equation into the HTML source, but that's not required.
[[image:Text_mode.png|center|You can use text mode if you want, but you don't have to.]]
The "built-up" equation won't appear until you click the "Save changes" button, the "Post to forum" button, or other appropriate button in Moodle.
[[image:Post.png|center|The forum post after the equation is rendered by Moodle's TeX filter.]]</li></ol>

===Example: Add equations to Moodle assessments===
In this example and [[#Example: Add equations to Moodle chat|the next]], we'll show how to use MathType with two of the most popular Moodle modules -- quiz and chat. With MathType and the Moodle TeX filter, you can add mathematical expressions both to an assessment question and to its answer choices. To show this capability, we'll write a quiz question for a multiple choice quiz. We assume you're familiar with the quiz module, so the steps here will not be complete instructions in using this module.

#Let's say we want to write a quiz about adding rational expressions, and in one of our questions we want the students to identify the least common denominator (LCD) of two expressions. Write "Find the LCD: " in the question editor:
#:[[image:Question1.gif|center|Begin typing the question.]]
#In MathType, write the expressions we want to include in the question. For our example, we'll use these two rational expressions: [[image:Fraction1.gif]] and [[image:Fraction2.gif]]. Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]]. Copy the expressions from MathType and paste into the question editor:
#:[[image:Question2.gif|center|Insert the fractions into the question.]]
#We'll use these 4 answer choices: ''x'' – 2, ''x'' + 2, ''x''² – 4, and 1. You can use MathType and the TeX filter for these, or not -- your choice. We'll use MathType for the first 3, and for the last one we'll just type in the number "1". Copy each answer choice from MathType and paste it into the respective space for the answer choice:
#:[[image:Choice-3.gif|center|Paste the equation you copied from MathType into the answer choice entry box.]]
#For the correct answer choice, choose Grade 100% from the dropdown box, and click Save at the bottom of the page.
#This is how our question looks in the preview:
#:[[image:Question-3.gif|center|Question as it looks to the student.]]

===Example: Add equations to Moodle chat===
You can use MathType to add equations to Moodle chats. Here's how:
#Choose MathType's '''Moodle: TeX filter''' translator [[#choosing_the_translator|as described above]].
#Once you're in the chat session, you can create mathematical expressions in MathType, then copy them and paste into the chat text entry window. The math will not convert to a "built-up" equation until you press Enter:
#:[[image:Tex_in_chat.gif|center|Paste into the chat window what you copied from MathType.]]
#It's not necessary for other chat participants to have MathType in order to be able to see your equations. They will be visible to everyone in the chat session.
#If you need to use one of the chat equations again, simply drag it from the chat session and drop it into MathType (or use copy & paste), as described in [[#Copy_equations_from_Moodle_and_paste_into_MathType|the next section]]. Then you can edit it and paste the modified equation back in a new reply. You can see an example of this in the first 11:57 entry in this chat:
#:[[image:Math_chat.gif|center|An example of a chat using equations rendered by the Moodle TeX Filter.]]

==Copy equations from Moodle and paste into MathType==
If you have an equation in your own course, or if you find an equation in another course that you want to use in a document or presentation outside of Moodle, it's possible to do that by using MathType. Not all filters have this capability though, and not all versions of MathType. If you try these steps and it doesn't work, it's possible that the equation was created with a Moodle filter other than the TeX filter.
<ol><li>One way to tell if an equation can be copied into MathType is to hover the mouse pointer over an equation.
[[image:Alttext.png|center|Some equation images have alt text associated with them.]]
If you get this type of pop-up when you hover the mouse pointer over the equation, the following steps will allow you to use the equation in MathType, just as you would any MathType equation. If you don't see the pop-up though, it doesn't mean the equation won't work. It might mean simply that your browser isn't displaying the pop-up. It's still worth a try to see if these steps will work.</li>
<li>Select the equation by dragging the mouse pointer across it:
[[image:Selection.png|center|When the equation is selected, it will appear in reverse color.]]</li>
<li>Copy the equation. '''Don't''' use the right-click (Macintosh: Ctrl+click) contextual menu to choose the "Copy Image" or "Copy Picture" command, because doing so won't work. '''If''' the contextual menu for your browser has a "Copy" command, you can use this command if you want.</li>
<li>Open MathType and paste the equation into the MathType editing area. The equation is now a MathType equation that you can edit and use just like any other MathType equation.</li></ol>
==Feedback==
If you have experience using MathType with Moodle please send questions, comments and suggestions directly to Design Science at [mailto:interop@dessci.com interop@dessci.com] or [http://www.twitter.com/mathtype @MathType] on Twitter.

[[Category:Mathematics]]

File:Text mode.png

2010-09-14T23:31:16Z

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2010-09-14T23:30:18Z

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2010-09-14T23:29:51Z

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2010-09-14T23:29:35Z

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2010-09-14T23:29:23Z

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2010-09-14T23:29:09Z

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2010-09-14T23:28:58Z

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2010-09-14T23:28:43Z

Afwings:

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2010-09-14T23:27:47Z

Afwings: uploaded a new version of "Image:choosing tex filter.png"

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2010-09-14T23:27:04Z

Afwings: uploaded a new version of "Image:status bar.png"

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2010-09-14T23:26:29Z

Afwings: uploaded a new version of "Image:translation error.png"

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2010-09-13T21:55:04Z

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2010-09-13T20:57:08Z

Afwings:

Mathematics

2010-09-13T14:37:19Z

Afwings: /* Tools */

==Equation Construction and Display==

Moodle uses default TeX Notation and Algebra filters to allow Teachers to quickly build relatively simple equations in their Moodle pages. These are simple but not simplistic. An overview of using these tools can be found at the [[Using TeX Notation]] pages. Be aware that these default packages are subsets of complete TeX packages and the conventions used are designed more for ease of use within Moodle rather than as complete TeX packages.

===Tools===
There are a variety of tools that are available for the purpose of constructing equations, providing text expressions that can be converted to equations, and displaying equations.

The most common text expression syntax is LaTeX or a derivative with probably the most common form of display being a conversion of the equation to an image file. However, is demonstrated with ASCIIMathML simple text expressions can now be be converted to MathML on the fly.

Some tools for creating and displaying equations on-line that may be of interest to those teaching mathematics are:
* The default [[TeX filter]], which allows Tex expressions to be inserted anywhere (e.g. quiz questions, discussion messages, text resources)
* [[ASCIIMathML]], which both converts equations into MathML on the fly and provides a text expression syntax more easily mastered than Tex, though the filter will convert TeX expressions as well. [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=106148 The ASCIIMathML 2.0.2 zip] provides all the files necessary for setting ASCIIMathML up as a Moodle filter as well creating run-time graphs with ASCIIsvg. An on-line calculator is also included. Just recently an ASCIIMathML export format for DragMath was added to version 0.7.2, [https://docs.moodle.org/en/DragMath_equation_editor available here], so that you have access to both a GUI and text expression syntax for creating and displaying equations. Quick and GIFless. [http://math.chapman.edu/~jipsen/asciencepad/asciencepad.html ASciencePad is also available] and consists of htmlarea enhanced with the ASCIIMathML functionality.
* [http://moodle.org/mod/data/view.php?d=13&rid=916 Tim Hunt's Moodle MathTran Module] converts Tex into images on the fly. You can also use [http://www.mathtran.org/wiki/index.php/TeX_image mathtran_img.js] on a page by page basis.
* The [[jsMath]] filter, which does a similar job but using [[Javascript]] on the user's computer
* [[MathJax]], a next generation for jsMath from David Cervone et al that now includes MathML and web font features: [http://MathJax.org] A discussion regarding deploying the beta release can be found here: [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=142785]
* [[Calculated question type]]
* [[DragMath equation editor]], a WYSIWYG equation editor that integrates easily with the Moodle HTML editor.
* [[WIRIS]], is a plugin that easily integrates with the HTML editor several math tools. Test them at [http://www.wiris.com/demo-moodle/ www.wiris.com/demo-moodle/]
** WYSIWYG equation editor. Based on MathML
** Advanced calculator. Integrals, derivatives, limits, ploting in 2D and 3D,...
** Advancaed math quizzes

* [http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype MathType], a commercial product created by DSI (the folk who also offer MathPlayer, a plugin many IE users employ). Bob Mathews recently posted [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=93728&parent=549428] that info on how to use MathType with Moodle can be found at http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/works_with.htm?target=moodle. Beginning with MathType 6.7, MathType includes a "translator" to convert a MathType equation into the LaTeX code required by the Moodle TeX filter.
Mathematics teachers may also be interested to follow the work of [http://maths.york.ac.uk York University Maths department], who are working on [http://maths.york.ac.uk/serving_maths/ some projects] to augment Moodle, particularly its [[Quiz module]] for online assessment, for example by integrating a system which is able to mark algebraic and trigonometric answers to open-ended questions.

===Accessibility Display Matrix===

{{Expand-section|date=August 2008}}

■ Feature Key appears below the matrix.

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
!Notation
!Tex/LaTex
!ASCIIMath
!MathML
|-
|Ease of Use
|Plain text system. Knowledge of LaTeX notation required. Being a plain text system, LaTeX notation is straightforward to create and edit.
|Plain text system. Easy to learn. Notation simple. Being a plain text system, ASCIIMath is very easy to create and edit.
|XML-based. Not easy to create and edit: an editor is required.
|-
|Conversion to Braille
|Output directly to Braille display via screen reader (fn 2)
|ASCIIMath notation is converted to MathML or LaTeX. Please refer to those formats for details.
|Converted to suitable textual format and Brailled using screen reader (fn 3)
|-
|Transmission via TTS
|Notation spoken "as-is" via screen reader (fn 2)
|ASCIIMath notation is converted to MathML or LaTeX. Please refer to those formats for details.
|Converted to suitable textual format and spoken using screen reader. Note that MathPlayer add-on for IE has TTS functionality built-in (fn 3).
|-
|}

'''fn1.'''
MathPlayer claims to do math-to-speech by parsing the MathML, not by parsing TeX. See http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathplayer/tech/accessibility.htm where it is stated:

All of these examples were written in Microsoft Word and MathType and exported to MathML using MathType’s “MathPage” technology. MathPage technology was added to MathType in version 5.0. No special work is needed to author the expressions to make them accessible. Any product that exports MathML will produce pages that MathPlayer can speak.

For a larger real life example, see this page. Also, MSN Encarta uses MathML on many of their web pages that contain math, so much of their Math should be accessible using MathPlayer.

'''fn2. '''
The alt attribute of the rendered graphic is spoken and/or Braillled. As LaTeX is a plain text notation, the notation can be spoken and Brailled by the screen reader directly. This does, of course, assume an understanding of LaTeX notation on the part of the screen reader user.

'''fn3. '''
In the case of Internet Explorer, screen readers require the MathPlayer plugin to be installed before MathML is rendered (IE does not include native MathML support). By using MSAA, the screen reader can obtain a textual version of the math notation from MathPlayer, which it can then TTS and Braille. Note that MathPlayer also contains built-in TTS functionality (employing MS SAPI) which can be used to speak the math notation without having to employ a screen reader. See [http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathplayer/tech/accessibility.htm] for further details. At time of writing, screen reader support for Firefox is via MSAA and a special custom, Firefox-specific IAccessible2 interface (to reveal text attributes and character positions). Math notation is spoken via a screen reader which interrogates these interfaces.

==Using Java for Curriculum==
===Java Tools for Building Applets for Interactive Demonstration===
These tools can be integrated in or used with Moodle Resources
* Java Sketchpad, http://www.dynamicgeometry.com/JavaSketchpad/About_JavaSketchpad.html, is an applet developed by Key Curriculum Press. The applet has been the focus of quite a bit of discussion and demonstrations and discussions are widely available. An introductory article from the Journal of Online Mathematics can be found here: http://mathdl.maa.org/mathDL/4/?nodeId=508&pa=content&sa=viewDocument. Usage focuses largely on Geometry
* CabriJava, http://www-cabri.imag.fr/cabrijava/, an applet offered by the University of Cabri, also focuses on interactive geometry. Quite a number of examples employing CabriJava can be found here: http://www.mathsnet.net/cabri/index.html.
* Descartes, http://descartes.cnice.mec.es/, is an applet developed under the auspices of the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion Politica Social y Diporte. An English introduction can be found here at http://descartes.cnice.mec.es/ingles/index.html. The Ministery has produced an extensive Mathematics curriculum using Descartes, which is available in English and can be freely downloaded and used. Much of what is available is still only in Spanish so anyone interested in doing translation work please post to the Moodle Math Tools forum.
* Sympl, http://www.sympl.org/, an open source Java application/applet for creating interactive graphs.

===Additional Curricular Use of Applets===
*Euclid's Elements - http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/java/elements/elements.html
*Tutorials employing applets (applets can be downloaded and used in Moodle) http://www.analyzemath.com/

===Applet Tools===
*Graphing - http://www.langara.bc.ca/mathstats/resource/GraphExplorer/
*Geometry Construction - http://www.cs.rice.edu/~jwarren/grace/
*GeoGebra - http://www.geogebra.org/
*Physics Applets for Drawing (PAD) - http://www.wku.edu/pads/ These can make interactive activities that can both check for correctness and give guiding feedback. Includes modules for graphs (2D functions), vectors (even in/out and other lines and arrows and bar-graphs), motion analysis, equation recognition and more. Uses don't have to be just for Physics. Math, of course. VectorPAD can be used for placing markers (as points, lines, small pictures, [http://www.wku.edu/pads/exercise.php?id=mgaazqzoakmqgfrkkmqgaaayo arrows) on a picture], that could be used in almost any subject. They can be incorporating in SCORM packages which can interact with Moodle. There is no Moodle module now (july 2009) for using them directly, but that would add a lot more power (compared to SCORM), like being able to save states, turn on/off feedback, etc.
*GraphApplet 1.05: both calculator and graphapplet - http://www.lundin.info/graphapplet.aspx
*Physlets: large suite of applets about physics but includes [http://webphysics.davidson.edu/physletprob/ch16_datagraph/default.html advanced graphing] too. [http://www.tupo.biz/kurser/javaapplets/Fysik/java/Physlets/CFL/3dimDiag.htm A time dependent 3D example (Swedish!)]

===Java Applet Collections===
* http://cs.jsu.edu/mcis/faculty/leathrum/Mathlets/
* http://www.walter-fendt.de/m14e/

* Probability and Statistics
**http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/pavel/java/dilemma/
**http://lstat.kuleuven.be/java/
**http://www.math.csusb.edu/faculty/stanton/m262/

*http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/murphy/JavaOverview/default.html
*Math and Physics - http://www.falstad.com/mathphysics.html
*Curves - http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Java/index.html
*Chaos and Fractals - http://math.bu.edu/DYSYS/applets/index.html
*For sale, but extensive - http://www.cut-the-knot.org/Curriculum/index.shtml

==Mathematics Assessment==

Assessment is a key driver for mathematics. There are a number of ways of getting students to answer mathematical questions through Moodle.
* WebWork, see http://webwork.maa.org/wiki/Main_Page http://webwork.math.rochester.edu/docs/docs/, and http://webwork.maa.org/moodle/ is an independent web application for assessing student Math progress, and there is a Moodle Module for interfacing WebWork to Moodle that can be found here: http://moodle.org/mod/data/view.php?d=13&rid=332, though the resources on the WeBWork wiki are probably more current as the code in the Moodle CVS has not been updated for some time.
* STACK provides very mathematical questions for the Moodle quiz module. These are supported by the CAS Maxima. The home page for STACK can be found on http://stack.bham.ac.uk/
* WIRIS quizzes [http://www.wiris.com/demo-moodle wiris.com/demo-moodle]
**Random variables and graphics
**Automatic evaluation of oen answers
**Syntax checking of answers

==See also==
* [[Mathematics tools FAQ]]
Using Moodle forum discussions:
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=46009 Best practices for teaching Math(s) in Moodle]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=61993 How do you deal with the challenge of writing equations?]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=62002 How do you deal with the challenge of drawing graphs and diagrams?]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=62014 How do you deal with the challenge of interactive exercises and simulations?]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=95950 How can I have a student enter a fraction as an answer?]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=127867 What are the components of an exemplary high school Moodle course?]

[[Category:Mathematics]]

Mathematics

2010-03-25T20:11:46Z

Afwings: /* Tools */ Corrected hyperlink for MathType to correspond with redesigned website at dessci.com.

==Equation Construction and Display==
===Tools===
There are a variety of tools that are available for the purpose of constructing equations, providing text expressions that can be converted to equations, and displaying equations.

The most common text expression syntax is LaTeX or a derivative with probably the most common form of display being a conversion of the equation to an image file. However, is demonstrated with ASCIIMathML simple text expressions can now be be converted to MathML on the fly.

Some tools for creating and displaying equations on-line that may be of interest to those teaching mathematics are:
* [[ASCIIMathML]], which both converts equations into MathML on the fly and provides a text expression syntax more easily mastered than Tex, though the filter will convert TeX expressions as well. [http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=106148 The ASCIIMathML 2.0.2 zip] provides all the files necessary for setting ASCIIMathML up as a Moodle filter as well creating run-time graphs with ASCIIsvg. An on-line calculator is also included. Just recently an ASCIIMathML export format for DragMath was added to version 0.7.2, [https://docs.moodle.org/en/DragMath_equation_editor available here], so that you have access to both a GUI and text expression syntax for creating and displaying equations. Quick and GIFless. [http://math.chapman.edu/~jipsen/asciencepad/asciencepad.html ASciencePad is also available] and consists of htmlarea enhanced with the ASCIIMathML functionality.
* [http://moodle.org/mod/data/view.php?d=13&rid=916 Tim Hunt's Moodle MathTran Module] converts Tex into images on the fly. You can also use [http://www.mathtran.org/wiki/index.php/TeX_image mathtran_img.js] on a page by page basis.
* The [[TeX filter]], which allows [http://www.tug.org/begin.html TeX markup] to be inserted anywhere (e.g. quiz questions, discussion messages, text resources)
* The [[jsMath]] filter, which does a similar job but using [[Javascript]] on the user's computer
* [[Calculated question type]]
* [[DragMath equation editor]], a WYSIWYG equation editor that integrates easily with the Moodle HTML editor.
* [[WIRIS]], is a plugin that easily integrates with the HTML editor several math tools. Test them at [http://www.wiris.com/demo-moodle/ www.wiris.com/demo-moodle/]
** WYSIWYG equation editor. Based on MathML
** Advanced calculator. Integrals, derivatives, limits, ploting in 2D and 3D,...
** Advancaed math quizzes

* MathType, a commercial product created by DSI (the folk who also offer MathPlayer, a plugin many IE users employ). Bob Mathews recently posted [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=93728&parent=549428] that info on MathType can be found at http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/works_with.htm?target=moodle
Mathematics teachers may also be interested to follow the work of [http://maths.york.ac.uk York University Maths department], who are working on [http://maths.york.ac.uk/serving_maths/ some projects] to augment Moodle, particularly its [[Quiz module]] for online assessment, for example by integrating a system which is able to mark algebraic and trigonometric answers to open-ended questions.

===Accessibility Display Matrix===

{{Expand-section|date=August 2008}}

■ Feature Key appears below the matrix.

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
!Notation
!Tex/LaTex
!ASCIIMath
!MathML
|-
|Ease of Use
|Plain text system. Knowledge of LaTeX notation required. Being a plain text system, LaTeX notation is straightforward to create and edit.
|Plain text system. Easy to learn. Notation simple. Being a plain text system, ASCIIMath is very easy to create and edit.
|XML-based. Not easy to create and edit: an editor is required.
|-
|Conversion to Braille
|Output directly to Braille display via screen reader (fn 2)
|ASCIIMath notation is converted to MathML or LaTeX. Please refer to those formats for details.
|Converted to suitable textual format and Brailled using screen reader (fn 3)
|-
|Transmission via TTS
|Notation spoken "as-is" via screen reader (fn 2)
|ASCIIMath notation is converted to MathML or LaTeX. Please refer to those formats for details.
|Converted to suitable textual format and spoken using screen reader. Note that MathPlayer add-on for IE has TTS functionality built-in (fn 3).
|-
|}

'''fn1.'''
MathPlayer claims to do math-to-speech by parsing the MathML, not by parsing TeX. See http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathplayer/tech/accessibility.htm where it is stated:

All of these examples were written in Microsoft Word and MathType and exported to MathML using MathType’s “MathPage” technology. MathPage technology was added to MathType in version 5.0. No special work is needed to author the expressions to make them accessible. Any product that exports MathML will produce pages that MathPlayer can speak.

For a larger real life example, see this page. Also, MSN Encarta uses MathML on many of their web pages that contain math, so much of their Math should be accessible using MathPlayer.

'''fn2. '''
The alt attribute of the rendered graphic is spoken and/or Braillled. As LaTeX is a plain text notation, the notation can be spoken and Brailled by the screen reader directly. This does, of course, assume an understanding of LaTeX notation on the part of the screen reader user.

'''fn3. '''
In the case of Internet Explorer, screen readers require the MathPlayer plugin to be installed before MathML is rendered (IE does not include native MathML support). By using MSAA, the screen reader can obtain a textual version of the math notation from MathPlayer, which it can then TTS and Braille. Note that MathPlayer also contains built-in TTS functionality (employing MS SAPI) which can be used to speak the math notation without having to employ a screen reader. See [http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathplayer/tech/accessibility.htm] for further details. At time of writing, screen reader support for Firefox is via MSAA and a special custom, Firefox-specific IAccessible2 interface (to reveal text attributes and character positions). Math notation is spoken via a screen reader which interrogates these interfaces.

==Using Java for Curriculum==
===Java Tools for Building Applets for Interactive Demonstration===
These tools can be integrated in or used with Moodle Resources
* Java Sketchpad, http://www.dynamicgeometry.com/JavaSketchpad/About_JavaSketchpad.html, is an applet developed by Key Curriculum Press. The applet has been the focus of quite a bit of discussion and demonstrations and discussions are widely available. An introductory article from the Journal of Online Mathematics can be found here: http://mathdl.maa.org/mathDL/4/?nodeId=508&pa=content&sa=viewDocument. Usage focuses largely on Geometry
* CabriJava, http://www-cabri.imag.fr/cabrijava/, an applet offered by the University of Cabri, also focuses on interactive geometry. Quite a number of examples employing CabriJava can be found here: http://www.mathsnet.net/cabri/index.html.
* Descartes, http://descartes.cnice.mec.es/, is an applet developed under the auspices of the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion Politica Social y Diporte. An English introduction can be found here at http://descartes.cnice.mec.es/ingles/index.html. The Ministery has produced an extensive Mathematics curriculum using Descartes, which is available in English and can be freely downloaded and used. Much of what is available is still only in Spanish so anyone interested in doing translation work please post to the Moodle Math Tools forum.
* Sympl, http://www.sympl.org/, an open source Java application/applet for creating interactive graphs.

===Additional Curricular Use of Applets===
*Euclid's Elements - http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/java/elements/elements.html
*Tutorials employing applets (applets can be downloaded and used in Moodle) http://www.analyzemath.com/

===Applet Tools===
*Graphing - http://www.langara.bc.ca/mathstats/resource/GraphExplorer/
*Geometry Construction - http://www.cs.rice.edu/~jwarren/grace/
*GeoGebra - http://www.geogebra.org/
*Physics Applets for Drawing (PAD) - http://www.wku.edu/pads/ These can make interactive activities that can both check for correctness and give guiding feedback. Includes modules for graphs (2D functions), vectors (even in/out and other lines and arrows and bar-graphs), motion analysis, equation recognition and more. Uses don't have to be just for Physics. Math, of course. VectorPAD can be used for placing markers (as points, lines, small pictures, [http://www.wku.edu/pads/exercise.php?id=mgaazqzoakmqgfrkkmqgaaayo arrows) on a picture], that could be used in almost any subject. They can be incorporating in SCORM packages which can interact with Moodle. There is no Moodle module now (july 2009) for using them directly, but that would add a lot more power (compared to SCORM), like being able to save states, turn on/off feedback, etc.
*GraphApplet 1.05: both calculator and graphapplet - http://www.lundin.info/graphapplet.aspx
*Physlets: large suite of applets about physics but includes [http://webphysics.davidson.edu/physletprob/ch16_datagraph/default.html advanced graphing] too. [http://www.tupo.biz/kurser/javaapplets/Fysik/java/Physlets/CFL/3dimDiag.htm A time dependent 3D example (Swedish!)]

===Java Applet Collections===
* http://cs.jsu.edu/mcis/faculty/leathrum/Mathlets/
* http://www.walter-fendt.de/m14e/

* Probability and Statistics
**http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/pavel/java/dilemma/
**http://lstat.kuleuven.be/java/
**http://www.math.csusb.edu/faculty/stanton/m262/

*http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/murphy/JavaOverview/default.html
*Math and Physics - http://www.falstad.com/mathphysics.html
*Curves - http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Java/index.html
*Chaos and Fractals - http://math.bu.edu/DYSYS/applets/index.html
*For sale, but extensive - http://www.cut-the-knot.org/Curriculum/index.shtml

==Mathematics Assessment==

Assessment is a key driver for mathematics. There are a number of ways of getting students to answer mathematical questions through Moodle.
* WebWork, see http://webwork.maa.org/wiki/Main_Page http://webwork.math.rochester.edu/docs/docs/, and http://webwork.maa.org/moodle/ is an independent web application for assessing student Math progress, and there is a Moodle Module for interfacing WebWork to Moodle that can be found here: http://moodle.org/mod/data/view.php?d=13&rid=332, though the resources on the WeBWork wiki are probably more current as the code in the Moodle CVS has not been updated for some time.
* STACK provides very mathematical questions for the Moodle quiz module. These are supported by the CAS Maxima. The home page for STACK can be found on http://stack.bham.ac.uk/
* WIRIS quizzes [http://www.wiris.com/demo-moodle wiris.com/demo-moodle]
**Random variables and graphics
**Automatic evaluation of oen answers
**Syntax checking of answers

==See also==
* [[Mathematics tools FAQ]]
Using Moodle forum discussions:
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=46009 Best practices for teaching Math(s) in Moodle]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=61993 How do you deal with the challenge of writing equations?]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=62002 How do you deal with the challenge of drawing graphs and diagrams?]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=62014 How do you deal with the challenge of interactive exercises and simulations?]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=95950 How can I have a student enter a fraction as an answer?]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=127867 What are the components of an exemplary high school Moodle course?]

[[Category:Mathematics]]