Mathematics

Tools which may be of interest to those teaching mathematics:

• 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. 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, available here, so that you have access to both a GUI and text expression syntax for creating and displaying equations. Quick and GIFless. ASciencePad is also available and consists of htmlarea enhanced with the ASCIIMathML functionality.
• The TeX filter, which allows 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.

Mathematics teachers may also be interested to follow the work of York University Maths department, who are working on 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.

See also

Using Moodle forum discussions:

• Best practices for teaching Math(s) in Moodle
• How do you deal with the challenge of writing equations?
• How do you deal with the challenge of drawing graphs and diagrams?
• How do you deal with the challenge of interactive exercises and simulations?